Calcium phosphate formation in the presence of taurine

The effect of taurine, used in a number of food supplements for athletes, on the crystal growth of hydroxyapatite is investigated at conditions of sustained supersaturation employing the constant composition technique. It was found to increase the crystal growth rate possibly through blocking of the less active growth sites by taurine molecules. The apparent order for the crystallization reaction was determined to be ca. 2, thus suggesting a surface diffusion controlled spiral growth mechanism.