| Abstract: |
Other groups have proposed that geochemical and biomolecular palaeontological information can be obtained from the lipids associated with biominerals. The location of this lipidic material within the inorganic structure of molluscan shells has previously been unknown. This has important implications for the preservation of indigenous lipids and for post-depositional contamination from the environment. Using recent Patella vulgata shells, different mechanical and chemical methods have been investigated for the removal of contaminating material prior to the sequential release and analysis of surficial, intercrystalline and intracrystalline lipids, n-Alkanes, cholesterol and fatty acids have been identified. The n-alkanes are indigenous to the shell, but laboratory contamination can be significant, and highlights the need for experimental blanks. Bound fatty acids are extracted from intercrystalline and intracrystalline fractions. Free and bound cholesterol is extracted throughout the sequential methodology. The protective role of the inorganic biomineral is shown by the extraction of lipids from intercrystalline and intracrystalline locations, after the extensive cleaning treatments used to extract or destroy surficial lipids.
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