Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites
Summary: The odor of rehydrated coprolites can be used as an informal means of fecal identification. To date, the analysis of volatiles emitted by coprolites from different sources has not been attempted, and the possibility of utilizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as fecal biomarkers unexplor...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-06-01
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| Series: | iScience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223008830 |
| _version_ | 1827942103242506240 |
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| author | Wanyue Zhao Helen L. Whelton John C. Blong Lisa-Marie Shillito Dennis L. Jenkins Ian D. Bull |
| author_facet | Wanyue Zhao Helen L. Whelton John C. Blong Lisa-Marie Shillito Dennis L. Jenkins Ian D. Bull |
| author_sort | Wanyue Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: The odor of rehydrated coprolites can be used as an informal means of fecal identification. To date, the analysis of volatiles emitted by coprolites from different sources has not been attempted, and the possibility of utilizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as fecal biomarkers unexplored. VOCs released by coprolites from the Paisley Caves, were analyzed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), to assess the variance of results from different coprolites (carnivores, herbivores, or humans). Coprolites from carnivores can be clearly distinguished from those produced by herbivores and humans; these latter two are separated to a lesser degree. Eight discriminatory compounds differentiated between the coprolite sources, and their identities were verified using reference standards. Coprolites and their associated sediments could not be differentiated between using this method, suggesting leaching of VOCs into the burial matrix. This work provides an alternative, more rapid way to assess coprolite origin. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:54:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7c0bb514c7ff48268a70a6623ddc2ad7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2589-0042 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:54:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | iScience |
| spelling | doaj.art-7c0bb514c7ff48268a70a6623ddc2ad72023-05-24T04:20:56ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422023-06-01266106806Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolitesWanyue Zhao0Helen L. Whelton1John C. Blong2Lisa-Marie Shillito3Dennis L. Jenkins4Ian D. Bull5Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UKOrganic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UKDepartment of Anthropology, Washington State University, College Hall, Pullman, WA 99164-4910, USASchool of History, Classics and Archaeology, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UKMuseum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USAOrganic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK; Corresponding authorSummary: The odor of rehydrated coprolites can be used as an informal means of fecal identification. To date, the analysis of volatiles emitted by coprolites from different sources has not been attempted, and the possibility of utilizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as fecal biomarkers unexplored. VOCs released by coprolites from the Paisley Caves, were analyzed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), to assess the variance of results from different coprolites (carnivores, herbivores, or humans). Coprolites from carnivores can be clearly distinguished from those produced by herbivores and humans; these latter two are separated to a lesser degree. Eight discriminatory compounds differentiated between the coprolite sources, and their identities were verified using reference standards. Coprolites and their associated sediments could not be differentiated between using this method, suggesting leaching of VOCs into the burial matrix. This work provides an alternative, more rapid way to assess coprolite origin.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223008830Biological sciencesPaleobiologyArcheology |
| spellingShingle | Wanyue Zhao Helen L. Whelton John C. Blong Lisa-Marie Shillito Dennis L. Jenkins Ian D. Bull Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites iScience Biological sciences Paleobiology Archeology |
| title | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites |
| title_full | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites |
| title_fullStr | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites |
| title_short | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites |
| title_sort | volatile organic compounds vocs as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites |
| topic | Biological sciences Paleobiology Archeology |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223008830 |
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