A concentration matrix procedure for determining optimal combinations of concentrations in biocrystallization
Jens-Otto Andersen, Machteld Huber, Johannes Kahl, Nicolaas Busscher and Angelika Meier-Ploeger
Summary
An integral part of the biocrystallization method is the determination of suitable concentrations of the sample
in question and the reagent copper chloride. Traditionally concentrations series are applied whereby an increasing
amount of sample (juice/extract) is added to a fixed amount of reagent (200 mg per solution per plate).
At a so-called optimal concentration the resulting pictures show an optimum of desired morphological features
which enable differentiation of various samples. These series represent a one-dimensional procedure for determining
an optimal sample concentration. The article presents the concept of concentration matrix as a two-dimensional
procedure for determining an optimal combination of concentrations of the sample and the reagent.
Graphically the concentrations of the sample and the reagent are arranged on the horizontal and vertical axes
respectively. The optimal combination may generally be determined on the basis of two consecutive matrices.
The initial broad matrix is arranged with a broad concentration range of both the sample and the reagent while
the subsequent narrow matrix is arranged with a narrower range of concentrations around the expected optimal
combination, as expressed in a near-equilibrium of features characterizing the sample and the reagent. Two
broad matrices from wheat and carrot are presented. The procedure is expected to be applicable to a broad variety
of samples and investigations, and to allow efficient differentiation of various samples.