Dataset Information

Elemental Analysis of Bone, Teeth, Horn and Antler in Different Animal Species Using Non-Invasive Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence.

ABSTRACT: Mineralized tissues accumulate elements that play crucial roles in animal health. Although elemental content of bone, blood and teeth of human and some animal species have been characterized, data for many others are lacking, as well as species comparisons. Here we describe the distribution of elements in horn (Bovidae), antler (Cervidae), teeth and bone (humerus) across a number of species determined by handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to better understand differences and potential biological relevance. A difference in elemental profiles between horns and antlers was observed, possibly due to the outer layer of horns being comprised of keratin, whereas antlers are true bone. Species differences in tissue elemental content may be intrinsic, but also related to feeding habits that contribute to mineral accumulation, particularly for toxic heavy metals. One significant finding was a higher level of iron (Fe) in the humerus bone of elephants compared to other species. This may be an adaptation of the hematopoietic system by distributing Fe throughout the bone rather than the marrow, as elephant humerus lacks a marrow cavity. We also conducted discriminant analysis and found XRF was capable of distinguishing samples from different species, with humerus bone being the best source for species discrimination. For example, we found a 79.2% correct prediction and success rate of 80% for classification between human and non-human humerus bone. These findings show that handheld XRF can serve as an effective tool for the biological study of elemental composition in mineralized tissue samples and may have a forensic application.

SUBMITTER: Buddhachat K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4873253 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Elemental Analysis of Bone, Teeth, Horn and Antler in Different Animal Species Using Non-Invasive Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence.

Buddhachat Kittisak K Klinhom Sarisa S Siengdee Puntita P Brown Janine L JL Nomsiri Raksiri R Kaewmong Patcharaporn P Thitaram Chatchote C Mahakkanukrauh Pasuk P Nganvongpanit Korakot K

PloS one 20160519 5

Mineralized tissues accumulate elements that play crucial roles in animal health. Although elemental content of bone, blood and teeth of human and some animal species have been characterized, data for many others are lacking, as well as species comparisons. Here we describe the distribution of elements in horn (Bovidae), antler (Cervidae), teeth and bone (humerus) across a number of species determined by handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to better understand differences and potential biological ...[more]

PMID: 27196603

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Project description:A conceptual design for a handheld X-ray diffraction (HHXRD) instrument is proposed. Central to the design is the application of energy-dispersive XRD (EDXRD) in a back-reflection geometry. This technique brings unique advantages which enable a handheld instrument format, most notably, insensitivity to sample morphology and to the precise sample position relative to the instrument. For fine-grained samples, including many geological specimens and the majority of common alloys, these characteristics negate sample preparation requirements. A prototype HHXRD device has been developed by minor modification of a handheld X-ray fluorescence instrument, and the performance of the prototype has been tested with samples relevant to mining/quarrying and with an extensive range of metal samples. It is shown, for example, that the mineralogical composition of iron-ore samples can be approximately quantified. In metals analysis, identification and quantification of the major phases have been demonstrated, along with extraction of lattice parameters. Texture analysis is also possible and a simple example for a phosphor bronze sample is presented. Instrument formats other than handheld are possible and online process control in metals production is a promising area. The prototype instrument requires extended measurement times but it is argued that a purpose-designed instrument can achieve data-acquisition times below one minute. HHXRD based on back-reflection EDXRD is limited by the low resolution of diffraction peaks and interference by overlapping fluorescence peaks and, for these reasons, cannot serve as a general-purpose XRD tool. However, the advantages of in situ, nondestructive and rapid measurement, tolerance of irregular surfaces, and no sample preparation requirement in many cases are potentially transformative. For targeted applications in which the analysis meets commercially relevant performance criteria, HHXRD could become the method of choice through sheer speed and convenience.

Dataset Information

Elemental Analysis of Bone, Teeth, Horn and Antler in Different Animal Species Using Non-Invasive Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence.

Publications

Elemental Analysis of Bone, Teeth, Horn and Antler in Different Animal Species Using Non-Invasive Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence.

Similar Datasets

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