Pyrolysis-GC/MS for the identification of macromolecular components in historical recipes

Analytical pyrolysis with thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation was employed to investigate ancient ointments collected from Spanish vessels coming from the sixteenth century pharmacies. The ointments were reproduced on the basis of historical recipes and characterization was made in comparison with real samples. Characteristic markers indicate the presence of beeswax, of animal and plant lipids, and of natural resins. Analyses of old samples are consistent with the modern reproductions and with the analysis of raw materials. Multivariate data analysis was used to discriminate between the different types of lipidic materials, also in connection with their relative amount in the samples.