A Review of the Analysis of Vegetable Oil Residues from Fire Debris Samples: Analytical Scheme, Interpretation of the Results, and Future Needs

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on the analysis of vegetable (and animal) oil residues from fire debris samples. The examination sequence starts with the solvent extraction of the residues from the substrate. The extract is then prepared for instrumental analysis by derivatizing fatty acids (FAs) into fatty acid methyl esters. The analysis is then carried out by gas chromatography or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The interpretation of the results is a difficult operation seriously limited by a lack of research on the subject. The present data analysis scheme utilizes FA ratios to determine the presence of vegetable oils and their propensity to self-heat and possibly, to spontaneously ignite. Preliminary work has demonstrated that it is possible to detect chemical compounds specific to an oil that underwent spontaneous ignition. Guidelines to conduct future research in the analysis of vegetable oil residues from fire debris samples are also presented.

Examination of prehistoric artifacts via fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) techniques using modern environmental stewardship

“…This change is evident by a marked significant increase in the number of papers using archaeological residue analysis (e.g., Evershed et al, 1994Evershed et al, , 1997Evershed et al, , 2003Charters et al, 1997;Malainey et al, 1999c;Mottram et al, 1999;Stott et al, 1999;Eerkens, 2002Eerkens, , 2005Maniatis and Tsirtsoni, 2002;Rafferty, 2002;Stauffer et al, 2005;Stauffer 2006). In spite of numerous complications associated with extraction and identification, these studies have demonstrated that a variety of compounds, including fatty acids, waxes, sterols, resins, tars, pitches and amino acids, are aptly preserved in prehistoric shreds and can be used to indicate the source of stone tools or ports (Christie et al, 1993;Eerkens, 2005).…”

Fire investigation and ignitable liquid residue analysis—A review: 2001–2007

“…The analysis of fire debris samples for the presence of vegetable oils has been described [276,277].…”

A quick discrimination of vegetable oil by solid-phase microextraction method

“…While many types of techniques have been established for detection of saponifiable and unsaponifiable constituents as fingerprints of vegetable oils [2][3][4][5], both constituents can be identified from the same sample using methods in which two kinds of constituents are separated. The method described in Ref.…”

“…Although it is possible to analyze TAGs directly using hightemperature gas chromatograph (GC), both saponification and derivatization of fatty acids (FAs) are commonly applied [3]. The breaking apart of TAGs into single FA, followed by their derivatization, results in greater volatility and allows for easy quantification of the FA content of vegetable oils.…”

“…Each peak was assigned as indicated below: (1) normal-nonacosane, (2) g-tocopherol,(3) Vitamin E, (4) brassicasterol, (5) campesterol, and (6) b-sitosterol.…”