IJCEA 2024 Vol.15(2): 76-79
doi: 10.18178/ijcea.2024.15.2.828
Effect of Blumea balsamifera Extract on the Morphology and Nucleation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals in Artificial Urine
Charlimagne M. Montealegre*, Jirah Emmanuel T. Nolasco, John Irvin V. Bautista, and Ramon Paolo T. Quintero
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Email: cmmontealegre@up.edu.ph (C.M.M.); jtnolasco@gmail.com (J.E.T.N.); johnirvinbautista@gmail.com (J.I.V.B.); rpaoloquintero@gmail.com (R.P.T.Q.)
*Corresponding author
Manuscript received April 7, 2024; revised June 4, 2024; accepted August 11, 2024; published November 27, 2024
Abstract—Blumea balsamifera or “sambong” is a known natural cure for kidney stone formation; however, there are limited scientific studies which quantify and explain how the extract inhibits kidney stone formation. In this study the effect of B. balsamifera extract on the morphology and nucleation of calcium oxalate crystals in an artificial urine environment was studied using microscopic and turbidimetric analyses. Results showed a reduction in crystal size from 38.21 ± 5.65% to 76.47 ± 5.45%. However, no significant difference was found in crystal sizes as extract dosage varies. Crystal morphology showed a shift from Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate (COM) to Calcium Oxalate Dihydrate (COD). Turbidity assay showed a decrease in turbidity slope as the extract inhibited nucleation. The nucleation mechanism was also modified by the extract. The dependence of nucleation rate on supersaturation was lost in the presence of the extract. These results suggest that the medicinal properties of B. balsamifera is attributed to the shift in crystal shape and size, and an inhibition of nucleation.
Keywords—
Blumea balsamifera extract, crystallization, nucleation, calcium oxalate stone, kidney stones
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Cite: Charlimagne M. Montealegre, Jirah Emmanuel T. Nolasco, John Irvin V. Bautista, and Ramon Paolo T. Quintero, "Effect of Blumea balsamifera Extract on the Morphology and Nucleation of Calcium Oxalate Crystals in Artificial Urine," International Journal of Chemical Engineering and Applications vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 76-79, 2024.
