EFFECT OF SOME INHIBITORS ON NUCLEATION AND CRYSTAL GROWTH OF APATITE

Mg, Sr and F ions acted as inhibitors of apatite formation when added to a calcification buffer separately or in combinations. The precipitation of apatite under the influence of apatite seeds was less susceptible to inhibition than were spontaneous nucleation and apatite formation catalyzed by sheep bone collagen, while the latter two were about equally susceptible. Combinations of Mg with Sr or F ions showed additive effects. These results suggest that no specific effects of these inhibitors occurred on the catalytic action of the bone collagen different from their effects on the nucleation of apatite as such. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.