Analysing avian eggshell pigments with Raman spectroscopy.
J Exp Biol
; 218(Pt 17): 2670-4, 2015 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26113138
ABSTRACT
Avian eggshells are variable in appearance, including coloration. Here, we demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy can provide accurate diagnostic information about major eggshell constituents, including the pigments biliverdin and protoporphyrin IX. Eggshells pigmented with biliverdin showed a series of pigment-diagnostic Raman peaks under 785 nm excitation. Eggshells pigmented with protoporphyrin IX showed strong emission under 1064 nm and 785 nm excitation, whereas resonance Raman spectra (351 nm excitation) showed a set of protoporphyrin IX informative peaks characteristic of protoporphyrin IX. As representative examples, we identified biliverdin in the olive green eggshells of elegant crested tinamous (Eudromia elegans) and in the blue eggshells of extinct upland moa (Megalapteryx didinus). This study encourages the wider use of Raman spectroscopy in pigment and coloration research and highlights the value of this technique for non-destructive analyses of museum eggshell specimens.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Pigmentos Biológicos
/
Aves
/
Casca de Ovo
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Exp Biol
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Nova Zelândia