Bone fragment or bone powder? ATR-FTIR spectroscopy–based comparison of chemical composition and DNA preservation of bones after 10 years in a freezer

Pajnič, Irena Zupanič; Leskovar, Tamara; Jerman, Ivan

doi:10.1007/s00414-021-02620-0

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Samples with the poorest overall DNA preservation in cluster C3 with the lowest DNA quantity (Auto) and poorest DNA quality (Auto/Deg ratio) have highest crystallinity, highest relative concentrations of phosphates, and highest collagen denaturation. Different studies report different strength of correlation between DNA preservation and the relative concentrations of collagen and carbonates, crystallinity, and collagen quality in the bone 18 , 29 – 34 . The reason for such differences could be the state and/or origin of the samples included.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reason for such differences could be the state and/or origin of the samples included. Research shows that differences in the FTIR indices of bone are caused by numerous reasons, such as the taphonomic history of the remains, postmortem interval, and inter and intra skeletal variation 15 , 22 , 29 , 34 – 36 . Here presented results show that when combining epiphyses (predominantly trabecular bone) and diaphyses (predominantly cortical bone) of metacarpals and metatarsals, better DNA preservation is indicated by lower collagen denaturation, lower relative concentrations of phosphates and lower crystallinity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of DNA preservation and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy indices of cortical and trabecular bone of metacarpals and metatarsals

Leskovar,

Inkret,

Zupanič Pajnič

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Shape, size, composition, and function of the bones in the human body vary on the macro, micro and nanoscale. This can influence changes caused by taphonomy and post-mortem preservation, including DNA. Highly mineralised compact bone is less susceptible to taphonomic factors than porous trabecular bone. Some studies imply that DNA can be better preserved in trabecular bone, due to remnants of the soft tissue or bacteria better digesting organic matter while not digesting DNA. The aim of this study was to understand the differences between compact (diaphyses) and trabecular (epiphyses) bone on a molecular level and thus the reasons for the better preservation of the DNA in the trabecular bone. The powder obtained from epiphyses and diaphyses of metacarpals and metatarsals was analysed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and compared. Samples with poorest DNA preservation originated from diaphyses, predominantly of metatarsals. They were characterised by higher concentrations of phosphates and crystallinity, while lower collagen quality in comparison to samples with the best DNA preservation. Epiphyses presented higher concentrations of better-preserved collagen while diaphyses had higher concentrations of carbonates and phosphates and higher crystallinity. Due to better-preserved collagen in the epiphyses, the soft tissue remnants hypothesis seems more likely than the bacteria hypothesis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%