Racemisation of aspartic acid from dentin for chronological age estimation in a South African population using HPLC with UV detection.
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Date
2024
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Forensic odontology relies on chronological age assessment to identify unknown people in resource-constrained situations. Due to insufficient DNA profiling and dental data in South Africa, additional procedures must be developed. Aspartic acid racemisation (AAR) in dentin is a promising biochemical age assessment method that may be more accurate and objective. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detection (DAD) was used to test AAR analysis in a South African population. Multiple analytical methods were used to validate dentin samples. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysed microstructure, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) examined elemental composition, Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) validated demineralisation, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) assessed crystallographic characteristics. HPLC analysis used a C8 column with methanol and sodium phosphate buffer gradient elution. Sample validation confirmed the dentin samples' structural and chemical integrity. SEM investigation revealed similar surface features with mean roughness parameters Ra of 11.60864 μm and Rq of 35.63723 μm. EDS showed a homogeneous elemental distribution with oxygen (41.149%), calcium (34.335%), carbon (14.132%), phosphorus (10.955%), magnesium (1.883%), and sodium (0.706%). FTIR spectroscopy revealed the effective isolation of organic and inorganic fractions, whereas XRD validated crystallite sizes in accordance with hydroxyapatite literature values.
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Keywords
Aspartic acid racemisation, Age estimation, Dentin, Crown, Root, South African
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