In vitro studies on the impact of Apple Cider Vinegar on the growth of struvite urinary crystals

Struvite, often linked with some infections, is capable of forming “staghorn calculi” in a short span of time. Thus, the need for cure and prevention of recurrence is crucial. A curative strategy that partially replicates intricate biological systems can be formulated through an in vitro method, namely, the single diffusion gel growth technique. The present work investigates the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) on struvite urinary crystals. The grown struvite crystals were characterized structurally via Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD). The surface morphology was analysed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Several schemes, such as estimating the number and weight, have been adopted to examine the effect of ACV on struvite crystals. The outcomes from the statistical analysis revealed a remarkable in vitro inhibition efficiency of ACV, by diminishing the number and weight of the struvite crystals. The sizes of various crystal habits of the struvite crystals were also inspected, which revealed a significant reduction in the size of the elongated dendritic crystals and X-shaped dendritic crystals. Additionally, the inhibition of ACV was high with increasing concentration, leading to complete dissolution of the struvite crystals, collectively suggesting ACV as an eminent in vitro inhibitor of struvite crystals. This gel growth technique contributes strategically in sorting out the potential inhibitory substances prior to the complex biological examination, thereby contributes in preventing the recurrence or dissolution of struvite crystals likely when the urinary tract is capable of achieving the studied concentrations of ACV. • The in vitro gel diffusion technique was carried out by altering the pH of the gel media and varying ACV quantitatively. • The results from FTIR sufficiently validate the dissolution of struvite by curtailing the intensity of PO43- vibrations. • The SEM images substantiate the disintegration of the particles present on the surface. • The reduction in number, weight and length of different crystal habits state the efficiency of ACV as an in vitro inhibitor.