Analysis of Organic Residues

The chemical analysis of organic residues can be done using different analytical techniques

Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectrometry (FTIR)
Advantages:
  • Small amount of sample (50 mg)
  • Direct analysis
  • Detects chemical characteristics of the overall material (organic and inorganic)
  • Gives first indication of nature of material and the state of preservation

Direct Temperature-resolved Mass Spectrometry (DTMS)

Advantages:
  • Small amount of sample (50 mg)
  • Direct analysis (no preparation prior to analysis)
  • Detects both extractable and non-extractable more complex organic fractions
  • Gives detailed information about a broad range of organic compounds such as lipids, waxes, terpenoids, polynuclear aromatic compounds, oligosaccharides, small peptides, protein fragments, and larger more condensed polymeric structures resulting from charred foodstuffs