Effect of avocado (Persea gratissima) leaf extract on calcium oxalate crystallization

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of avocado (Persea gratissima) leaf extract on calcium oxalate crystallization. For this purpose, calcium oxalate was synthesized in the absence and presence of avocado leaf extract media. The precipitated crystals were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, zeta potential, and thermogravimetric analysis. The XRD results indicated that the calcium oxalate precipitated in pure media consisted of crystals in monohydrate form with mono-clinic structure. The SEM and TEM images proved that the crystals underwent a morphological change in the extract media. The calcium oxalate crystals had a zeta potential of-3.2 mV and the surface of the crystals prepared in the extract media was more negative (-31.8 mV) when compared with crystals prepared in pure media. Thus, it can be concluded that the formation of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal, a major component of urinary stones, is reduced, and the morphology and size of the crystals are changed by avocado leaf extract media.