Headspace solid phase microextraction for screening for the presence of resins in Egyptian archaeological samples

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) to reveal the presence of resin in archaeological samples, such as mummification balms, from ancient Egypt. Experiments were first performed with fresh resins of known origin. The SPME fibre readily extracted mono- and sesquiterpenes and, to a lesser extent, diterpenes. Using mass spectra and retention indices of constitutive compounds, qualitative analysis of the volatile fraction allowed us to differentiate resins or gum-resins such as myrrh, olibanum, galbanum, labdanum, mastic, and conifer resins. SPME was then successfully applied to archaeological samples from ancient Egypt in which the presence of resins was detected. Volatile components were desorbed and trapped according to the same SPME procedure as was applied to fresh resins, after a sample preparation consisting of a fine grinding.

Organic residue analysis of Egyptian votive mummies and their research potential

“…The majority of this research has focussed on human mummification practices from their earliest manifestations (Jones et al, 2014), through the Pharaonic and Intermediate periods (e.g. Vieillescazes & Coen, 1993;Koller et al, 1998;Colombini et al, 2000;Hamm et al, 2004) to their continuance during Ptolemaic and Roman rule (e.g. Buckley & Evershed, 2001;Maurer et al, 2002;Corcoran & Svoboda, 2010).…”

A chemical investigation by headspace SPME and GC–MS of volatile and semi-volatile terpenes in various olibanum samples

“…Thirdly, non-volatile compounds such as fats, waxes and polysaccharides, often dominant in mummification balms, are not extracted by such a method, thus avoiding the fastidious sample pre-treatment required for classical GC-MS analysis. Previously, we have successfully applied headspace SPME to a wide range of resins and gum resins and to archaeological samples (Hamm et al, 2004).…”

Optimization of headspace solid phase microextraction for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of widely different volatility and polarity terpenoids in olibanum

“…In a previous paper [5], we have successfully used headspace SPME with a PDMS fiber for the analysis of pine resin, galbanum, labdanum, mastic, myrrh and olibanum. In this paper, we focused our attention only on the characterization of frankincense.…”