Phosphates

Phosphates as Building Blocks

Organic building blocks consist of functionalized organic molecules, serving as the fundamental components for organic synthesis. Phosphates play a pivotal role as building blocks in DNA and RNA, responsible for carrying genetic information in all living organisms. They can serve as leaving groups in substitution reactions, and their diverse reactivity makes them valuable intermediates in the construction of complex organic molecules.

Phosphates as Buffer

Phosphate buffer is a liquid medium designed for the qualitative detection of microorganisms in pharmaceutical and food samples. It serves as a sample diluent and as a medium for performing serial dilution. It prevents pH-associated variations while carrying out microbial experiments.

Potassium phosphates 

Potassium phosphate buffers are widely employed in equilibrium dialysis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and affinity capillary electrophoresis studies.

Potassium phosphate monobasic is a water-soluble inorganic salt widely employed in various applications, contributing significantly to the formulation of phosphate buffer and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). It has also proven valuable in the preparation of PEG1000 (polyethylene glycol)/potassium phosphate aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS).

Potassium phosphate dibasic is a useful biological buffer having a pH in the range of 8.5–9.6. It has been used in the preparation of MMG (maltose, methyl green) medium, phosphate buffered saline, and hypotonic solution.

Sodium phosphates 

Sodium phosphates are used as thickening agents, leavening agents, and emulsifiers in processed cheese. They are also utilized in medicine for constipation treatment and bowel preparation before surgeries. They are effective anti-rust agents and are incorporated into detergents to soften water. Sodium phosphate is a widely used buffer in molecular biology, biochemistry, and chromatographic studies.

Sodium phosphate monobasic can also be used as a catalyst in the synthesis of non-ionic surfactants for adhesive and detergent applications. Additionally, it is used as a mobile phase in High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for various analyses, including the determination of adenosine in human synovial fluid, analysis of neuroendocrine tumor markers by HPLC-electrochemical detection, and the analysis of benzalkonium chloride and its homologs using HPLC/HPCE.

Calcium Phosphate Microcarriers in Bone Tissue Engineering

Microcarriers (MCs) are commonly used in tissue engineering to provide cells with a significant surface area, facilitating the high-yield culture of anchorage-dependent cells. Calcium phosphates, composed of calcium cations and phosphate anions, constitute approximately 60% of the inorganic composition of all-natural human bones. These minerals significantly impact bioactivity in osteoblasts, affecting processes such as adhesion, proliferation, and new bone production.

Calcium phosphates also play important roles in cell adhesion and tissue formation by affecting the adsorption of extracellular matrix proteins on the surface. The characteristics of calcium phosphates impact the mineralization of newly formed bone, consequently influencing bone regeneration.