Effect of Apium graveolens extract on the surface morphology and characteristics of calcium pyrophosphate crystals

Abstract

This aim of the present study was to investigate the crystallization and physical characteristics of the triclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (t-CPPD) and monoclinic calcium pyrophosphate tetrahydrate β (m-CPPT β) crystals created in pure media and in the presence of Apium graveolens extract. The structure, functional groups, crystal morphology, and size of the crystals were investigated experimentally using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and a particle size analyzer. The smaller crystals were created in the presence of the extract media and displayed changes in the t-CPPD crystal shapes from rod like to rounded in addition to rod-like crystals. Zeta potential analyses showed that adding A. graveolens extract resulted in a more negative crystal surface energy (−36.7 ± 1.1 mV) than that in pure media, which was −28.6 ± 1.3 mV. In addition, the thermal decomposition characteristics of the t-CPPD and m-CPPT β crystals were simultaneously investigated using thermogravimetric analysis combined with FTIR and the main evolved product was determined as H2O. The present study analyzed the structural, morphological, and thermal properties of t-CPPD and m-CPPT β to provide more comprehensive information on how A. graveolens extract helps prevent the formation of t-CPPD and m-CPPT β crystals. This information can be an important step in long-term development of an effective therapeutic treatment.