Abstract

The inhibition of mineralisation of urinary stone forming minerals by glycolic acid has been investigated. The inhibition efficiency of
different concentration was studied. Increased intake of glycolic acid would be helpful in urinary stone prophylaxis. Glycolic acid acts as
‘protecting agent’. It has been suggested that ‘proteceting agents’ perhaps withdraw the metal cation from solution, and thus increase the
degree of ‘supersaturation and it is to be expected that their addition to solution containing such ions would cause a reduction in the rate of
crystal growth. Crystal growth is a very complex process since both the surface and the super saturation varies continuously throughout the
period of the growth.

Key words: urinary stone; urolithiasis; flow static and dynamic models; in vitro inhibition; glycolic acid