Molecular tracers for smoke from charring/burning of chitin biopolymer

Abstract

Monosaccharide derivatives from the breakdown of cellulose are the major organic components of smoke particles emitted to the atmosphere from biomass burning. In urban areas a related biopolymer, chitin, may contribute markers to smoke from grilling/charring of crustacean seafood. 1,6-Anhydro-2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucose and the related degradation products from chitin can be utilized as specific and general indicator compounds for the presence of emissions from charring/burning of crustaceans in samples of atmospheric fine particulate matter. This enables the potential assessment of such cooking emissions in urban and rural areas. There are other compounds (e.g., thermal alteration derivatives from proteins and nucleic acids) which are additional key indicators in smoke from charring/burning of chitin. 1,6-Anhydro-2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucose is proposed as a specific indicator for chitin in biomass burning emissions. It is emitted at similarly high concentrations and emission rates as levoglucosan from cellulose burning that it should be detectable in certain indoor and urban atmospheres.