Calcium oxalate

Calcium oxalate
Calcium oxalate
Identifiers
CAS number 25454-23-3 YesY, (anhydrous)
5794-28-5 (monohydrate)
PubChem 16212978
ChemSpider 30549 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:60579 YesY
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula CaC2O4
Molar mass 128.097 g/mol, anhydrous
146.112 g/mol, monohydrate
Appearance white solid
Density 2.12 g/cm³, anhydrous
2.12 g/cm³, monohydrate
Melting point

200°C, decomposes (monohydrate)

Solubility in water 0.00067 g/100 ml (20 °C)
 YesY (verify) (what is: YesY/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Calcium oxalate (in archaic terminology, oxalate of lime) is a chemical compound that forms needle-shaped crystals, known in plants as raphides. A major constituent of human kidney stones, the chemical is also found in beerstone, a scale that forms on containers used in breweries. Its chemical formula is CaC2O4 or Ca (COO)2.

Contents

Occurrence

Quantities of calcium oxalate are found in many tropical house plants. Calcium oxalate is a poisonous substance that can produce sores and numbing on ingestion and could even be fatal. The poisonous plant dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) contains the substance and on ingestion can prevent speech and be suffocating. It is also found in rhubarb (in large quantities in the leaves) and in species of Oxalis, Araceae, taro, kiwifruit, tea leaves, agaves, and Alocasia and in spinach in varying amounts. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals are found in plant stems, roots, and leaves and produced in idioblasts. Kidney stone sufferers should not eat plants high in oxalates.

Urine microscopy showing calcium oxalate crystals in the urine

Calcium oxalate, as 'beerstone', is a brownish precipitate that tends to accumulate within vats, barrels and other containers used in the brewing of beer. If not completely removed in a cleaning process, beerstone will leave an unsanitary surface that can harbour microorganisms.[1] Beerstone is composed of calcium and magnesium salts and various organic compounds left over from the brewing process; it promotes the growth of unwanted microorganisms that can adversely affect or even ruin the flavor of a batch of beer.

Calcium oxalate crystals in the urine are the most common constituent of human kidney stones, and calcium oxalate crystal formation is also one of the toxic effects of ethylene glycol poisoning.

Hydrated forms of the compound occur naturally as three mineral species: whewellite (monohydrate, known from some coal beds), weddellite (dihydrate) and a very rare trihydrate called caoxite.

Effects of Ingestion

Even a small dose of calcium oxalate is enough to cause intense sensations of burning in the mouth and throat, swelling, and choking that could last for up to two weeks.[2] In greater doses it can cause severe digestive upset, breathing difficulties, coma or even death. Recovery from severe oxalate poisoning is possible, but permanent liver and kidney damage may have occurred.

The stalks of plants in the Dieffenbachia genus produce the most severe oxalate reactions. The needle-like oxalate crystals produce pain and swelling when they contact lips, tongue, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or skin. Edema primarily is due to direct trauma from the needle-like crystals and, to a lesser extent, by other plant toxins (e.g., bradykinins, enzymes).

Depending on the plant ingested, mild (Elephant Ear Colocasia esculenta) to more severe (Jack in the Pulpit, Arisaema) can cause compromised airways. One bite on the Arisaema seed pod will result in immediate swelling and burning. It will take over 12 hours for the swelling to subside.[citation needed]

Treatment

Medication administered at the ER may include diphenhydramine, epinephrine, or famotidine, all intravenously. Although this most likely will be a localized reaction, it will be treated by the ER as an anaphylactic reaction.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Dana (23 March 1998). "Removing Beerstone". Modern Brewery Age. Birko Corporation R&D. http://www.birkocorp.com/Brewing/beerstone.html. Retrieved 2007-08-06. 
  2. ^ Outbreak of Food-borne Illness Associated with Plant Material Containing Raphides. Informa Healthcare.

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • calcium oxalate — n a colorless crystalline salt CaC2O4·H2O that is noted for its insolubility and is sometimes excreted in urine or retained in the form of urinary calculi * * * CaC2O4, a salt of oxalic acid which, when formed in high concentrations in the urine …   Medical dictionary

  • calcium oxalate — noun : a colorless crystalline salt CaC2O4.H2O noted for its insolubility, normally deposited in many plant cells, and in animals sometimes excreted in urine or retained in the form of urinary calculi * * * a white, crystalline powder, CaC2O4,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • calcium oxalate calculus — oxalate c …   Medical dictionary

  • calcium oxalate — noun Date: 1873 a crystalline salt CaC2O4 normally deposited in many plant cells and in animals sometimes excreted in urine or retained in the form of urinary calculi …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • calcium oxalate — a white, crystalline powder, CaC2O4, insoluble in water, used in making oxalic acid. * * * …   Universalium

  • Oxalate de calcium — Général No CAS …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Oxalate — The structure of the oxalate anion A ball and stick model of oxal …   Wikipedia

  • oxalate calculus — a hard urinary calculus made of calcium oxalate, often in the form of weddellite or whewellite; some are covered with minute sharp spines that may abrade the renal pelvic epithelium, and others are smooth. Called also calcium oxalate c …   Medical dictionary

  • CALCIUM — Le calcium, élément chimique de symbole Ca et de numéro atomique 20, est le plus léger des métaux alcalinoterreux vrais. Il représente environ 3,45 p. 100 du poids de la croûte terrestre et se classe, par ordre d’abondance, au troisième rang des… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • oxalate — [ ɔksalat ] n. m. • 1787; du gr. oxalis « oseille » ♦ Chim. Sel de l acide oxalique. Oxalate acide de potassium, dit sel d oseille. ● oxalate nom masculin Sel ou ester de l acide oxalique. ● oxalate (expressions) nom masculin Oxalate de calcium,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

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