The composition of whole human and sheep cortical bone tissue, and of a synthetic hydroxyapatite (P120), were compared using Fourier transform Raman (FT‐Raman) spectroscopy. Deproteination procedures to remove the bulk of the collagen present in bone tissue allowed isolation of the mineral phase. A comparison of the spectra obtained from both whole and deproteinated bone with those of synthetic hydroxyapatite showed direct correlation only in the region of 952 cm−1 (symmetric PO mode). In contrast, human and sheep bone were very closely matched in both, the organic and inorganic structures. The results demonstrate that deproteination of bone is not a necessary precursor to obtain spectral information. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
