Work

First Evidence for the Presence of Weddellite Crystallites in Opuntia ficus indica Parenchyma

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: Calcium oxalate crystallites occur very often in the plants tissues and their role is still poorly known. We report here the experimental protocol leading to the isolation of two forms of calcium oxalate crystallites differing in their hydration level in the parenchymal tissues of Opuntia ficus indica (Miller). Whereas the whewellite crystallites are habitual in all Opuntia species, the weddellite form has never been isolated from these species before, which is probably due to their small size (about 1 microm). We have identified these forms using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.

Source: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C

DOI: 10.1515/znc-2003-11-1211

Authors: Mohamed E. Malainine, Alain Dufresne, Danielle Dupeyre, Michel R. Vignon, Mostafa Mahrouz

Institutions: Cadi Ayyad University, Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales

Language: English

Topic: Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,712

Funder: University of Manitoba