Les cristaux biogéniques physiologiques 0u pathologiques constituent des exemples de structures dont la formation est influencée par diverses substances biologiques parmi lesquelles des protéines acides jouent le röle d’agents de nucléation 011 de modulation de leur morphologie (propriété de type enzymatique). Il est possible de préparer des cristaux biomimétiques en utilisant des copolyméres synthétiques (DHBCS, double hydrophilic block copolymers) qui agissent comme modulateurs de la morphologie de divers minéraux.
De méme, la cristallisation du chlorure cuivrique est modifiée par un additif introduit en quantité faible voire trés faible dans le milieu. Les additifs (A) sont de toute nature ; les polyméres naturels ou synthétiques exercent la plus grande influence spécifique. Les cristallogrammes obtenus sont hétérogénes dans l’espace et le temps. L’extraordinaire variabilité des morphologies cristallines obtenues fonde le potentiel applicatif du systérne.
Dans le domaine agroalimentaire, ä condition de disposer de références incontestables, la méthode permet de visualiser globalement la qualité des produits alimentaires et de donner des apergus que ne permettent pas les résultats de l’analyse chimique classique. Les caractéristiques d’un cristallogramme sont influencées par les constituants chimique majeurs de (A) et par des variations qualitatives et quantitatives méme mineures de ses constituants macromoléculaires, comme le montrent les expériences de traitement du lait en vue de sa conservation et les expériences de dégradation physiologique ou enzymatique d’un tissu végétal.
Dans le domaine médical il est démontré que les variables cristallographiques sont corrélées avec des groupes de pathologies et des variations de concentration de protéines sanguines. Elles sont prédictives de l’aggravation des pneumoconi0tiques. Par ailleurs les résultats obtenus renforcent l’hypothése que la méthode pourrait permettre la mise en évidence d’indicateurs de risque d’apparition de pathologies en médecine générale (risque d’apparition de cancer) ou en médecine du travail (diagnostic précoce de maladies professiormelles). La validité des hypothéses prédicdves de la méthode devra étre établie par des études prospectives appropriées.
Les éléments disponibles permettent de penser que le mécanisme d’acüon d’un additif sur la cristallisation du chlorure cuivrique procéde des mémes mécanismes que ceux décrits pour d’autres systémes.
N1 -Biogenic crystals formed under conditions of health or disease are examples of structures whose formation is influenced by a variety of biological substances. Amongst these, acidic proteins play a part in nucleation or modulation of crystal morphology (enzymatic type of property). It is possible to prepare biomimetic crystals using synthetic copolymers (DHBCS‚ double hydrophilic block copolymers) which act as modulators of the morphology of an assortment of minerals. In the same way copper chloride crystallisation is modified by an additive introduced in small to very small quantities into the medium. Additives (A) are of every kind; natural or synthetic polymers exert the greatest specific influence. The crystallograms obtained are heterogeneous with respect to space and time. The remarkable variability of crystal morphologies forms the basis of the system’s potential for application. In the agrifood field, provided that reliable reference material is available, the method allows overall visualisation of food product quality and gives indications that chemical analysis cannot. The characteristics of a crystallogram are influenced by the major chemical constituents of the additive and by the minor qualitative and quantitative variations of its macromolecules. This is shown by the results of both the treatment of milk for its preservation and the physiological or enzymatic degradation of plant tissue.
In the field of medicine it has been demonstrated that crystallographic variables are correlated with groups of pathologies and with variations in the concentration of blood ptoteins. The variables are predictive of a worsening of pneumoconiosis. In another respect, the results obtained reinforce the hypothesis that the method enables visualisation of the risk indicators of pathologies manifesting in general practice (risk of cancer appearing) or occupational health (early diagnosis of occupational diseases). The validity of the hypothesis regarding the method’s predictive value would have to be established through appropriate prospective studies. The available data support the view that the mechanism of action of an additive on the crystallisation of copper chloride proceeds according to the same mechanisms as those described for other systems.
Biogenic crystals formed under conditions of health or disease are examples of structures whose formation is influenced by a variety of biological substances. Amongst these, acidic proteins play a part in nucleation or modulation of crystal morphology (enzymatic type of property). It is possible to prepare biomimetic crystals using synthetic copolymers (DHBCS‚ double hydrophilic block copolymers) which act as modulators of the morphology of an assortment of minerals. In the same way copper chloride crystallisation is modified by an additive introduced in small to very small quantities into the medium. Additives (A) are of every kind; natural or synthetic polymers exert the greatest specific influence. The crystallograms obtained are heterogeneous with respect to space and time. The remarkable variability of crystal morphologies forms the basis of the system’s potential for application. In the agrifood field, provided that reliable reference material is available, the method allows overall visualisation of food product quality and gives indications that chemical analysis cannot. The characteristics of a crystallogram are influenced by the major chemical constituents of the additive and by the minor qualitative and quantitative variations of its macromolecules. This is shown by the results of both the treatment of milk for its preservation and the physiological or enzymatic degradation of plant tissue.
In the field of medicine it has been demonstrated that crystallographic variables are correlated with groups of pathologies and with variations in the concentration of blood ptoteins. The variables are predictive of a worsening of pneumoconiosis. In another respect, the results obtained reinforce the hypothesis that the method enables visualisation of the risk indicators of pathologies manifesting in general practice (risk of cancer appearing) or occupational health (early diagnosis of occupational diseases). The validity of the hypothesis regarding the method’s predictive value would have to be established through appropriate prospective studies. The available data support the view that the mechanism of action of an additive on the crystallisation of copper chloride proceeds according to the same mechanisms as those described for other systems.