The detection of nicotine in a Late Mayan period flask by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods

Abstract

Several ancient Mayan vessels from the Kislak Collection of the US Library of Congress were examined for the presence of alkaloids. One of them, a codex-style flask, bears a text that appears to read yo-'OTOT-ti 'u-MAY, spelling y-otoot 'u-may 'the home of its/his/her tobacco'. Samples extracted from this Late Classic period (600 to 900 AD) container were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods. Nicotine was identified as the major component of the extracts. LC/MS analyses also yielded signals due to nicotine mono-oxides. The identities of the compounds were determined by comparison of the chromatographic and/or mass spectral characteristics with those from standards and literature data. High-resolution high mass accuracy tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra of protonated nicotine and nicotine mono-oxides were measured to verify and to correct previous product ion assignments. These analyses provided positive evidence for nicotine from a Mayan vessel, indicating it as a likely holder of tobacco leafs. The result of this investigation is the first physical evidence of tobacco from a Mayan container, and only the second example where the vessel content recorded in a Mayan hieroglyphic text has been confirmed directly by chromatography/mass spectrometry trace analysis.

Biomolecular archaeology reveals ancient origins of indigenous tobacco smoking in North American Plateau

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“…Tobacco smoking originated in the Mayan kingdom in 600–900 AD [1] before spreading across the globe with the advent of cross-Atlantic trade and particularly the invention of pre-rolled cigarettes in the late 19th century. Thus, smoking rates increased globally from <0.5% of the USA population from the start of the 20th century peaking in 1965 with 50% of men and 33% of women who smoked [2] .…”

Distinguishing the Uses, Functions, and Purposes of Classic Maya “Chocolate” Containers: Not All Cups Are for Drinking

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