In Situ Analysis of Historical Preservation Fluids in Sealed Containers with Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: Understanding and monitoring of preservation fluids is essential for ensuring the long-term integrity of fluid-preserved specimens in natural history collections. However, analytical characterization remains challenging, particularly as noninvasive and portable solutions are required. This study presents the first in situ application of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) combined with multivariate analysis for classifying preservation fluids in historical biological specimens. A total of 46 fluid-preserved samples from the Natural History Museum, London, UK were analyzed under collection conditions using a portable device. The method accurately identified the preservation fluids in 78.5% of cases and showed partial agreement in another 15%, often with visually similar or chemically

SUBMITTER: Blanco A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12854593 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature