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Updated: Sep 23, 2025
Neutron Crystallography Data Collection and Processing for Modelling Hydrogen Atoms in Protein Structures
Published on: December 1, 2020
Human bone probed by neutron diffraction: the burning process
A P Mamede1, M P M Marques1,2, A R Vassalo1,3
1Molecular Physical Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra 3004-535 Coimbra Portugal apm@uc.pt.
Abstract:
The first neutron diffraction study of human burned bone is reported, aiming at a comprehensive elucidation of the heat-induced bone diagenesis process. Chemical and crystallinity changes were probed in different types of bone (femur, humerus and tibia) upon heating to different maximum temperatures (from 400 to 1000 °C, under aerobic conditions). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has provided valuable complementary information. Noticeable crystallographic and domain size variations were detected, mainly between 700 and 900 °C, the high temperature interval (>700 °C) corresponding to an organized, highly symmetric inorganic bone matrix, virtually devoid of carbonates and organic constituents, while the lower range (<700 °C) revealed a considerably lower crystallinity associated with the presence of carbonates, lipids and collagen. This work contributes to a better understanding of heat-induced changes in bone and is therefore relevant for archaeology, biomaterials and forensic science.
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