Fig. 4: Synchrotron HRXRD analysis of synthetic and biogenic MSU.

a Full HRXRD patterns of synthetic and biotic MSU (from synovial fluid of a gouty patient). Note the marked bump at 2θ < 25° due to the presence of amorphous organics in the synovial fluid. Also note the presence of halite (NaCl) in both samples, due to the high content of sodium chloride in synovial fluid and the use of NaCl as reactant in the synthesis of abiotic MSU. Data collected at ALBA synchrotron; b Full HRXRD patterns of synthetic MSU and MSU collected from a human tophus. Data collected at SOLEIL synchrotron. Note that the X-ray wavelength in (a) and (b) is different; c detail of (a) showing the 100, 020 and 011 Bragg peaks of synthetic (blue line) and synovial-fluid derived MSU (red line); d Detail of (b) showing the 100, 020 and 011 Bragg peaks of synthetic (blue line) and tophus derived MSU (red line).