Effects of calcium phosphate apatites on the reaction of reducing sugars in an alkaline medium

Reactions involving reducing sugars [glucose, fructose, and invert sugar (I S)] were studied in the presence of calcium phosphate apatites (hydroxyapat ite HAp and fluorapatite FAp). An absorption band at 295 nm characteristic of the alpha -dicarbonyl Ca complex was detected by W-visible analysis of t he sugar solutions. The residual apatites were analyzed by X-ray diffractio n and infrared spectroscopy. The first method showed that the apatitic stru cture is maintained, and the second detected new characteristic bands of an organic compound most certainly adsorbed onto the apatitic surface. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.