Calcium oxalate is a chemical compound that forms needle-shaped crystals. Large quantities are found in the painfully poisonous plant dumb cane. It is also found in rhubarb leaves, various species of Oxalis, and agaves, and (in lower amounts) in spinach. Most kidney stones are caused by calcium oxalate. IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming chemical compounds and of describing the science of chemistry in general. ... A chemical formula (also called molecular formula) is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a chemical element or chemical compound. ... Density (symbol: ρ - Greek: rho) is a measure of mass per volume. ... In the physical sciences, a phase is a set of states of a macroscopic physical system that have relatively uniform chemical composition and physical properties (i. ... It has been suggested that Solid solubility be merged into this article or section. ... This article describes water from a scientific and technical perspective. ... The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... The standard enthalpy of formation or standard heat of formation of a compound is the change of enthalpy that accompanies the formation of 1 mole of a substance in its standard state from its constituent elements in their standard states (the most stable form of the element at 100 kPa... In chemistry, the standard state of a material is its state at 1 bar (100 kilopascals) and 25 degrees Celsius (298. ... The skull and crossbones symbol traditionally used to label a poisonous substance. ... Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical monocots with patterned leaves. ... Species About 60, including: R. nobile R. palmatum For other uses see Rhubarb (disambiguation) Rhubarb is a perennial plant that grows from thick short rhizomes, comprising the genus Rheum. ... Binomial name See text Species See text. ... Species Agave americana Agave fourcroydes Agave sisalana many others, see text Agaves are succulent plants of a large botanical genus of the same name, belonging to the family Agavaceae. ... Binomial name Spinacia oleracea L. Percentages are relative to US RDI values for adults. ... Bladder stone redirects here. ...

All Arums typically have unique flowers, consisting of a pike of reduced male or female organs, or both, surrounded by a showy petal-like leaf, a bract, which is often colourful. Genera See text. ... For other articles with similar names, see Flower (disambiguation). ...

The toxic parts are the leaves. They contain calcium oxalate, a compound derived from oxalic acid, as well as enzymes which trigger the release of antibodies called histamines in the bloodstream of persons who ingest the leaves. Oxalates are needle-like crystals, which, when eaten, may pierce the mouth, throat and digestive tract as they pass through, causing, at the very least, intense discomfort. Toxic redirects here, but this is also the name of a song by Britney Spears; see Toxic (song) Look up toxic and toxicity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Ribbon diagram of the enzyme TIM, surrounded by the space-filling model of the protein. ... Histamine is a biogenic amine chemical involved in local immune responses as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter. ...

Nonsoluble calcium oxalate crystals are found in plant stems, roots, and leaves. The stalk of the Dieffenbachia produces the most severe reactions. These needle-like crystals produce pain and edema when they contact lips, tongue, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or skin. Oedema primarily is due to direct trauma from the needle-like crystals and, to a lesser extent, by other plant toxins (e.g. bradykinins, enzymes). Species See text Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical plants in the Family Araceae noted for their patterned leaves. ... Edema (BE: oedema, formerly known as dropsy) is swelling of any organ or tissue due to accumulation of excess fluid. ... Bradykinin is a physiologically and pharmacologically active peptide of the kinin group of proteins, consisting of nine amino acids. ...

Even small doses of oxalate toxin is enough to cause intense sensations of burning in the mouth and throat, swelling, and choking. In larger doses, however, Oxalate causes severe digestive upset, breathing difficulties and - if enough is consumed - convulsions, coma and death. Recovery from severe oxalate poisoning is possible, but permanent liver and kidney damage may have occurred.

Calcium oxalate also forms a major component of beerstone, a brownish precipitate that tends to accumulate within vats, barrels and other containers used in the brewing of beer.^[2] 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. There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... A 16th century brewer A 21st century brewer This article concerns the production of alcoholic beverages. ... A selection of bottled beers A selection of cask beers Beer is one of the worlds oldest alcoholic beverages, possibly brewed for the first time over 10,000 years ago, according to renowned beer writer Michael Jackson. ...

Calcium oxalate crystal formation is also one of the toxic effects of ethylene glycol poisoning. Ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol (MEG), IUPAC name: ethane-1,2-diol) is an alcohol with two -OH groups (a diol), a chemical compound widely used as an automotive antifreeze. ...

See also

• Oxalic acid

Oxalic acid (IUPAC name: ethanedioic acid, formula C2H2O4) is a dicarboxylic acid with structure (HOOC)-(COOH). ...

References

1. ^ Weast, R.C. 1974. Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 54th edition. Chemical Rubber Publishing Company.
2. ^ Johnson, Dana (1998-03-23). Removing Beerstone. Modern Brewery Age. Birko Corporation R&D. Retrieved on 2007-08-06.

1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in Leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ...

External links

• Link page to external chemical sources.