Expedient Bayesian prediction of subfossil bone protein content using portable ATR-FTIR data

Bibliographic Data

ID14976355
AuthorsSean Hixon (0000-0001-6147-7118), Patrick Roberts (0000-0002-4403-7548), Ricardo Rodríguez-Varela (0000-0002-4173-8648), Anders Götherström (0000-0001-8579-1304), Elena Rossoni-Notter (0000-0002-3437-9923), Olivier Notter (0000-0002-1068-7649), Pauline Raimondeau, Guillaume Besnard (0000-0003-2275-6012), Enrico Paust (0000-0001-6150-7196), Mary Lucas (0000-0002-6394-0345), Christiana Scheib (0000-0003-4158-8296), Ricardo Fernandes (0000-0003-2258-3262)
Year2024
Volume694
Pages1-12
Publication date2024-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQuaternary International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1040-6182 • E-ISSN: 1873-4553
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.quaint.2024.05.002
OpenAlexW4397033059
LanguageEN
References cited50

Rapid and minimally destructive methods for estimating the endogenous organic content of subfossil bone save time, lab consumables, and valuable ancient materials. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is an established method to estimate bone protein content, and portable spectroscopes enable field applications. We review the ability of benchtop and portable FTIR indices to predict %N and %collagen from 137 bone specimens drawn from eight taxa. We also explore associations of these indices with the endogenous DNA content estimated for 105 specimens. Bulk bone elemental abundance and crystallinity index data reflect diagenetic alteration of these specimens, which come from a variety of depositional environments in four countries (Madagascar, Greece, Monaco, and Germany). Infrared (IR) indices from benchtop and portable units perform similarly well in predicting observed sample N content and collagen yields. Samples that include little collagen (0–5 wt%) tend to have similar IR index values, and we present a Bayesian approach for the prediction of collagen yields. Bone type best explains variation in target species DNA content (endogenous DNA being particularly abundant in petrosals), but low IR index values were consistently associated with minimal DNA content. We conclude that, although portable FTIR fails to distinguish collagen preservation among poorly preserved samples, a simple approach with minimal sample preparation can effectively screen bone from a variety of taxa, elements, and environments for the extraction of organics

Analytical Chemistry (journal · Biology · Chromatography · Crystallinity · Crystallography · Diagenesis · Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy · Infrared spectroscopy · Mineralogy · Sample Preparation · Subfossil · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Chemical Engineering · Chemistry · Engineering · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Materials Science · Environmental Chemistry · Organic Chemistry · Paleontology

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