Standardizing infra-red measures of bone mineral crystallinity: An experimental approach

Three experiments demonstrate that infra-red spectroscopic measures of bone mineral crystallinity are partially dependent upon sample preparation meth ods. Intensive grinding of bone samples for Fourier transform infra-red (FT IR) spectroscopic analysis results in a net decrease in splitting factor (S F), a common measure of apatite crystallinity. If grinding is overly intens ive. SF measurement may respond more to variation in sample preparation tha n to the differences in bone mineral crystallinity that it is intended to m onitor. Because even slight differences in sample preparation can affect SF values, a set of procedures and standards are proposed as a means of calib rating infra-red crystallinity measures.