1
|
Schieweck A, Schulz N, Amendt J, Birngruber C, Holz F. Catch me if you can-emission patterns of human bodies in relation to postmortem changes. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1603-1620. [PMID: 38456958 PMCID: PMC11164720 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03194-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The present study examines for the first time the emission patterns and olfactory signatures of 9 complete human corpses of different stages of decomposition. Air sampling was performed inside the body bags with solid sorbents and analysed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after thermal desorption (TD-GC-MS). Furthermore, odour-related substances were detected by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Sulfurous compounds (mainly dimethyl di- and trisulfide) were identified as most important to the odour perception. Around 350 individual organic substances were detected by TD-GC-MS, notably sulfurous and nitrogenous substances as well as branched alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters and ethers. A range of terpenes was detected for the first time in a characteristic emission pattern over all decomposition stages. Concentrations of the substances varied greatly, and no correlation between the emission patterns, the stage of decomposition and the cause of death could be found. While previous studies often analysed pig cadavers or only parts of human tissue, the present study shows the importance of analysing complete human corpses over a range of decomposition stages. Moreover, it is shown that using body bags as a kind of "emission test chamber" is a very promising approach, also because it is a realistic application considering the usual transport and store of a body before autopsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schieweck
- Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Fraunhofer WKI, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Nicole Schulz
- Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, Fraunhofer WKI, Riedenkamp 3, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jens Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christoph Birngruber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Franziska Holz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gemmellaro MD, Lorusso NS, Domke R, Kovalska KM, Hashim A, Arevalo Mojica M, O’Connor AJ, Patel U, Pate O, Raise G, Shumskaya M. Assessment of Fungal Succession in Decomposing Swine Carcasses ( Sus scrofa L.) Using DNA Metabarcoding. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:866. [PMID: 37754974 PMCID: PMC10532525 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The decomposition of animal bodies is a process defined by specific stages, described by the state of the body and participation of certain guilds of invertebrates and microorganisms. While the participation of invertebrates in decomposing is well-studied and actively used in crime scene investigations, information on bacteria and fungi from the scene is rarely collected or used in the identification of important factors such as estimated time of death. Modern molecular techniques such as DNA metabarcoding allow the identification and quantification of the composition of microbial communities. In this study, we used DNA metabarcoding to monitor fungal succession during the decomposition of juvenile pigs in grasslands of New Jersey, USA. Our findings show that decomposition stages differ in a diversity of fungal communities. In particular, we noted increased fungal species richness in the more advanced stages of decomposition (e.g., bloat and decay stages), with unique fungal taxa becoming active with the progression of decay. Overall, our findings improve knowledge of how fungi contribute to forensically relevant decomposition and could help with the assessment of crime scenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rachel Domke
- Department of Biology, Kean University, Union, NJ 07083, USA
| | | | - Ayesha Hashim
- Department of Biology, Kean University, Union, NJ 07083, USA
| | | | | | - Urvi Patel
- Department of Biology, Kean University, Union, NJ 07083, USA
| | - Olivia Pate
- Department of Biology, Kean University, Union, NJ 07083, USA
| | - Gloria Raise
- Department of Biology, Kean University, Union, NJ 07083, USA
| | - Maria Shumskaya
- Department of Biology, Kean University, Union, NJ 07083, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nolan AN, Maker G, Mead RJ, Bringans S, Speers SJ. Peptide analysis of mammalian decomposition fluid in relation to the post-mortem interval. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 311:110269. [PMID: 32259675 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We report the results of a semi-quantitative peptide analysis of decomposition fluid under field-based conditions in the absence of a soil matrix. Sixteen domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) cadavers were used to model human decomposition in trials conducted in the summer and winter months in Western Australia. Physical characteristics were recorded and targeted peptide components of decomposition fluid were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis identified 29 peptides, originating from haemoglobin subunits alpha and beta, creatine kinase, beta-enolase and lactate dehydrogenase, that contributed to differences in the mean peak areas of samples collected during the early period of decomposition (days 6-12 and day 2 in winter and summer, respectively) and during the later period (days 24-34 and days 8-10 in winter and summer, respectively). Fold changes for 8 peptides between these periods were significantly different. Three peptides derived from haemoglobin subunit beta, one from beta-enolase and two from lactate dehydrogenase displayed consistent trends, in that a notable increase in mean peak area was followed by a marked decrease in both the summer and winter samples. When temperature was accounted for, these trends occurred at different time points in summer and winter, indicating that factors other than temperature had impacted the rate of degradation of the proteins involved. The single peptides derived from haemoglobin subunit alpha and creatine kinase displayed consistent increases in mean peak area for the summer samples, suggesting that temperature played the most significant role in their degradation. Further analyses revealed that 7 peptides (one originating from haemoglobin subunit alpha, three from haemoglobin subunit beta and three from lactate dehydrogenase) displayed consistent trends that could be correlated with total body score and with the early stages of decomposition. The consistent trends (mean peak area versus time) for peptides derived from several proteins during decomposition trials conducted under different temperature regimes further emphasised the potential of peptide analysis in time since death estimation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley-N'Dene Nolan
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Garth Maker
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Robert J Mead
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Scott Bringans
- Proteomics International. PO Box 3009, Broadway, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Samuel J Speers
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nolan AN, Mead RJ, Maker G, Bringans S, Speers SJ. The impact of environmental factors on the production of peptides in mammalian decomposition fluid in relation to the estimation of post-mortem interval: A summer/winter comparison in Western Australia. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 303:109957. [PMID: 31546167 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We report the peptide content of decomposition fluid produced under field-based conditions and in the absence of a soil matrix. Sixteen domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) cadavers were used to model human decomposition in trials conducted in the summer and winter months in Western Australia. Physical characteristics were recorded and the peptide components of decomposition fluid were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry. A range of peptides was consistently detected in both summer and winter. Thirty seven peptides were common to both trials; 22 originating from haemoglobin subunit beta, 1 from haemoglobin subunit alpha, 4 from beta-enolase, and 2 from creatine kinase. In agreement with our previous findings, 13 peptides occurred consistently, regardless of trial conditions. Degradation patterns for haemoglobin subunits alpha and beta in summer and winter were similar when expressed in ADD and when adjusted for differences in temperature. The consistent identification of several protein-specific peptides generated during decomposition trials conducted under different temperature and rainfall regimes suggests that quantitative peptide analysis may be useful in estimating time since death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley-N'Dene Nolan
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Robert J Mead
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Garth Maker
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Scott Bringans
- Proteomics International, PO Box 3009, Broadway, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Samuel J Speers
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pelletti G, Garagnani M, Barone R, Boscolo-Berto R, Rossi F, Morotti A, Roffi R, Fais P, Pelotti S. Validation and preliminary application of a GC–MS method for the determination of putrescine and cadaverine in the human brain: a promising technique for PMI estimation. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 297:221-227. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
|
6
|
Irish L, Rennie SR, Parkes GMB, Williams A. Identification of decomposition volatile organic compounds from surface-deposited and submerged porcine remains. Sci Justice 2019; 59:503-515. [PMID: 31472795 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cadaver dogs are routinely used internationally by police and civilian search organisations to locate human remains on land and in water, yet little is currently known about the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released by a cadaver underwater; how this compares to those given off by a cadaver deposited on land; and ultimately, how this affects the detection of drowned victims by dogs. The aim of this study was to identify the VOCs released by whole porcine (Sus scrofa domesticus) cadavers deposited on the surface and submerged in water using solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) to ascertain if there are notable differences in decomposition odour depending on the deposition location. For the first time in the UK, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the headspace of decomposing porcine cadavers deposited in both terrestrial and water environments have been detected and identified using SPME-GCMS, including thirteen new VOCs not previously detected from porcine cadavers. Distinct differences were found between the VOCs emitted by porcine cadavers in terrestrial and water environments. In total, seventy-four VOCs were identified from a variety of different chemical classes; carboxylic acids, alcohols, aromatics, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, nitrogen compounds and sulphur compounds. Only forty-one VOCs were detected in the headspace of the submerged pigs with seventy detected in the headspace of the surface-deposited pigs. These deposition-dependent differences have important implications for the training of cadaver dogs in the UK. If dog training does not account for these depositional differences, there is potential for human remains to be missed. Whilst the specific odours that elicit a trained response from cadaver dogs remain unknown, this research means that recommendations can be made for the training of cadaver dogs to incorporate different depositions, to account for odour differences and mitigate the possibility of missed human remains operationally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Irish
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - S R Rennie
- Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - G M B Parkes
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - A Williams
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nolan AN, Mead RJ, Maker G, Speers SJ. A review of the biochemical products produced during mammalian decomposition with the purpose of determining the post-mortem interval. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1589571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley-N’Dene Nolan
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Robert J. Mead
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Garth Maker
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Samuel J. Speers
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Examination of the temporal variation of peptide content in decomposition fluid under controlled conditions using pigs as human substitutes. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 298:161-168. [PMID: 30909103 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We report the preliminary observations of the peptide content of decomposition fluid produced under controlled laboratory conditions and in the absence of a soil matrix. Four domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) cadavers were used to model human decomposition over a four-week trial period; physical characteristics were recorded and the peptide components of decomposition fluid was analysed using high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry. Preliminary data analysis indicated that a range of peptides were consistently detected across the course of the trial period and 27 of these were common to all four cadavers; 22 originating from haemoglobin. The peptides associated with haemoglobin subunit alpha and beta displayed a breakdown pattern that remained consistent for all cadavers for the duration of the trial. Though identification of peptides during decomposition has potential for estimating the time since death, quantification of selected peptides is likely to be essential to identify time-dependent trends.
Collapse
|
9
|
Ueland M, Forbes SL, Stuart BH. Understanding clothed buried remains: the analysis of decomposition fluids and their influence on clothing in model burial environments. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2019; 15:3-12. [PMID: 30627974 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-018-0073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies of fabric degradation have shown promising results for post-mortem interval estimations based on differences in the degradation states of clothing in the presence of decomposing remains. It is crucial to determine if a body was present when using the degradation state as an indicator of time since death. For this study, fabric samples from buried pig remains were collected and analyzed using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and chromatography- mass spectrometry. Three different fabrics were investigated; 100% cotton, 100% polyester and a polyester-cotton blend. Distinct visual changes were observed between the experimental and control graves, with the fabrics in the control grave degrading more rapidly. There was also a difference between the fabric types, whereby the natural fabrics degraded much faster than the synthetic ones. Principal component analysis was used to determine that the cotton control samples could be statistically separated based on their degradation state. The presence of lipids and proteins were useful for separating "wetter" graves from those drier in nature as well as the control graves. Clothing evidence was demonstrated to provide quantitative time since death information, as well as indicating the decomposition site in the event of intentional or unintentional movement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Shari L Forbes
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Barbara H Stuart
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Adserias-Garriga J, Hernández M, Quijada NM, Rodríguez Lázaro D, Steadman D, Garcia-Gil J. Daily thanatomicrobiome changes in soil as an approach of postmortem interval estimation: An ecological perspective. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 278:388-395. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
11
|
Analysis of Decomposition Fluid Collected from Carcasses Decomposing in the Presence and Absence of Insects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-33115-7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
|
12
|
Breton H, Kirkwood AE, Carter DO, Forbes SL. The impact of carrion decomposition on the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles of soil microbial communities in southern Canada. CANADIAN SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE JOURNAL 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2015.1108036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
13
|
Ueland M, Nizio KD, Forbes SL, Stuart BH. The interactive effect of the degradation of cotton clothing and decomposition fluid production associated with decaying remains. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 255:56-63. [PMID: 26074165 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Textiles are a commonly encountered source of evidence in forensic cases. In the past, most research has been focused on how textiles affect the decomposition process while little attention has been paid to how the decomposition products interact with the textiles. While some studies have shown that the presence of remains will have an effect on the degradation of clothing associated with a decaying body, very little work has been carried out on the specific mechanisms that prevent or delay textile degradation when in contact with decomposing remains. In order to investigate the effect of decomposition fluid on textile degradation, three clothed domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcasses were placed on a soil surface, textile specimens were collected over a period of a year and were then analysed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and GC-MS. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to analyse the data. Cotton specimens not associated with remains degraded markedly, whereas the samples exposed to decomposition fluids remained relatively intact over the same time frame. An investigation of the decomposition by-products found that the protein-related bands remained stable and unchanged throughout the experiment. Lipid components, on the other hand, demonstrated a significant change; this was confirmed with the use of both ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and GC-MS. Through an advanced statistical approach, information about the decomposition by-products and their characteristics was obtained. There is potential that the lipid profile in a textile specimen could be a valuable tool used in the examination of clothing located at a crime scene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Katie D Nizio
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Shari L Forbes
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Barbara H Stuart
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
|
15
|
Stadler S, Stefanuto PH, Brokl M, Forbes SL, Focant JF. Characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds from Human Analogue Decomposition Using Thermal Desorption Coupled to Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography–Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2012; 85:998-1005. [DOI: 10.1021/ac302614y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Stadler
- Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000
Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1H 7K4
| | - Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto
- CART, Organic and Biological Analytical
Chemistry Group, Chemistry Department, University of Liège, Allée de la Chimie 3, B-6c Sart-Tilman,
B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Michał Brokl
- CART, Organic and Biological Analytical
Chemistry Group, Chemistry Department, University of Liège, Allée de la Chimie 3, B-6c Sart-Tilman,
B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Shari L. Forbes
- Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000
Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1H 7K4
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway,
New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Jean-François Focant
- CART, Organic and Biological Analytical
Chemistry Group, Chemistry Department, University of Liège, Allée de la Chimie 3, B-6c Sart-Tilman,
B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Secondary metabolites released by the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides: chemical analyses and possible ecological functions. J Chem Ecol 2011; 37:724-35. [PMID: 21667150 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-011-9978-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Burying beetles of the genus Nicrophorus localize small vertebrate carcasses by emitted volatiles. The carcass that serves as reproduction and breeding site is buried in the soil by the beetles. Biparental care for offspring includes both preservation of the carrion and its preparation as diet and nursery. Buried carcasses show no signs of microbial decay, and those experimentally treated with Nicrophorus secretions are known to grow fewer bacteria and fungi. In order to investigate the chemical composition of these secretions, we used GC-MS for analysis of methanolic extracts of anal and oral secretions released by adult N. vespilloides. Furthermore, we analyzed the headspace of adult N. vespilloides by SPME-GC-MS and searched for compounds with known antimicrobial activity. We identified 34 compounds in the headspace, and anal and oral secretions, 26 of which occurred consistently. We discuss the ecological relevance of these compounds with respect to both their antimicrobial activity and ecological relevance.
Collapse
|
17
|
Swann L, Forbes S, Lewis S. Analytical separations of mammalian decomposition products for forensic science: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2010; 682:9-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2010.09.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Revised: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|