2025/10/02 by Akalesh K. Verma, Rohit Kumar Singh, Bhuyashi Baidya +4 · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Materials Science · #Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition #Diatoms and Algae Research #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
paper · doi:10.1080/13235818.2025.2565744
openalex publication_date 2025/10/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/21
Biopolymer surface modification of pearl nuclei has emerged as a promising strategy to promote nacre deposition and improve pearl quality. This study evaluated the performance of silane-coated nuclei in Lamellidens marginalis with respect to pearl quality and physiological and biochemical responses in different tissues. Mussels were randomly assigned to three groups: Group I (control, no surgical intervention), Group II (surgical implantation with uncoated nuclei) and Group III (surgical implantation with silane-coated nuclei). Post-surgical assessments included nucleus attachment, mussel survival, histology, biochemical changes and pearl quality. Histological analysis (days 10 and 30) examined tissue architecture, inflammatory responses and pathological changes over time, while biochemical assays (days 0, 15 and 30) measured protein and carbohydrate levels to assess metabolic alterations and physiological stress associated with surgery. The results showed significant improvement in nucleus attachment (100%) after 60 days and a high survival rate (92%) after 30 days in Group III. After 15 months, silane-coated nuclei (Group III) produced pearls with significantly better lustre and surface smoothness compared to those from uncoated nuclei (Group II). These findings highlight silane-coated nuclei as an effective approach to improve mussel biocompatibility, survival and pearl quality, supporting sustainable pearl farming.