Journal of Forensic Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 77-81.DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.410611

Special Issue: 水中尸体研究专题

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Digestive Temperature and Time on Diatom Test

Jing-jian LIU1(), Yu-kun DU2, Jian ZHAO3, Xiao-dong KANG3, Zhong-hao YU2, Dong-yun ZHENG3, He SHI3, Qu-yi XU3, Li-fang CHEN1,4(), Chao LIU3()   

  1. 1.College of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
    2.School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
    3.Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute & Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou 510442, China
    4.Forensic Science Institute of Yunnan Provincial Public Security Department, Kunming 650228, China
  • Received:2021-06-16 Online:2022-02-25 Published:2022-02-28
  • Contact: Li-fang CHEN,Chao LIU

Abstract: Objective

To study the effects of temperature and time for diatoms digestion and find out suitable digestive temperature and time.

Methods

Eighty pieces of liver tissues were collected, each piece of tissue was 2 g, and 2 mL Pearl River water was added to each piece of tissue. The digestion temperature was set at 100 ℃, 120 ℃, 140 ℃, 160 ℃, 180 ℃ and the digestion time was set at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 min. The liver tissue and water mixture were divided into 8 portions in each group. All the samples were tested by microwave digestive - vacuum filtration - automated scanning electron microscopy method. The quantity of diatom recovered and the quality of residue on the membrane were recorded.

Results

When the digestion time was set to 60 min, there were statistically significant differences in the number of diatoms recovered at different temperatures (P<0.05). The maximum number of diatoms recovered was (28 797.50±6 009.67) at 140 ℃, and the minimum residue was (0.60±0.28) mg at 180 ℃. When the digestion temperature was set at 140 ℃, there were statistically significant differences in the number of diatoms recovered at different digestion times (P<0.05). The number of diatoms recovered was the highest at 40 min, it was up to (20 650.88±1 950.29), and the residue quality of each group had no statistical significance among different digestion time groups(P>0.05).

Conclusion

The effect of diatom digestion is related to temperature and time. When the digestion temperature was 140 ℃ and the digestion time was 40, 50 and 60 min, it is favorable for diatom test.

Key words: forensic pathology, diatom test, digestive temperature, digestive time

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