Elements may not be homogenously distributed throughout the bone, an issue of concern when using X-ray fluorescence in species classification

Abstract

© 2020 Chiang Mai University. One major question that arises when we talk about the elements in bones is whether all bones contain the same elements. This study was implemented to answer this question and determine what the elemental levels are in the femur bones of pigs using the handheld X-ray fluorescence technique. Ten dry femur bones taken from adult domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) were scanned using a handheld XRF analyzer. We compared three different groups in this study. First, comparisons were made between six locations of the whole femur bones as follows; compact bone at diaphysis (CD), compact bone at epiphysis (CE), spongy bone at diaphysis (SD), spongy bone at femoral head (SFH), spongy bone at femoral trochlea (SFT) and spongy bone at metaphysis (SM). Second, the different parts of the compact bones at the diaphysis were compared (proximal, middle and distal), Third, comparisons were made among four directions at the diaphysis (cranial, caudal, lateral and median). Differences in the elemental percentages and Ca/P ratio among all locations were determined by one-way ANOVA. The presence of most of the detected elements (19 from 25) in all specimens, and that the Ca/P ratio differed significantly (P<0.05) when all six parts were compared. The highest percentage in all elements was observed in CD. Notably, this data is important in terms of the elements studied. We have proven that the elements were not equally distributed throughout the bones; however, there may not be any clear effects on species classification using the elemental composition in bones.