Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites

Wanyue Zhao; Helen L Whelton; John C Blong; Lisa-Marie Shillito; Dennis L Jenkins; Ian D Bull

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106806

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a rapid means for assessing the source of coprolites

iScience. 2023 May 4;26(6):106806. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106806. eCollection 2023 Jun 16.

Authors

Wanyue Zhao¹, Helen L Whelton¹, John C Blong², Lisa-Marie Shillito³, Dennis L Jenkins⁴, Ian D Bull¹

Affiliations

¹ Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK.
² Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, College Hall, Pullman, WA 99164-4910, USA.
³ School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
⁴ Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.

Abstract

The odor of rehydrated coprolites can be used as an informal means of fecal identification. To date, the analysis of volatiles emitted by coprolites from different sources has not been attempted, and the possibility of utilizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as fecal biomarkers unexplored. VOCs released by coprolites from the Paisley Caves, were analyzed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), to assess the variance of results from different coprolites (carnivores, herbivores, or humans). Coprolites from carnivores can be clearly distinguished from those produced by herbivores and humans; these latter two are separated to a lesser degree. Eight discriminatory compounds differentiated between the coprolite sources, and their identities were verified using reference standards. Coprolites and their associated sediments could not be differentiated between using this method, suggesting leaching of VOCs into the burial matrix. This work provides an alternative, more rapid way to assess coprolite origin.

Keywords: Archeology; Biological sciences; Paleobiology.