Scientists have discovered a method to research Charles Darwin’s authentic specimens from his well-known HMS Beagle voyage (1831 to 1836) to the Galapagos Islands.
Much more exceptional, they had been in a position to study the samples with out opening the practically 200-year-old jars that protect them.
Finding out Darwin’s Historic Specimens
The analysis centered on 46 historic specimens housed on the Pure Historical past Museum in London. These included mammals, reptiles, fish, jellyfish, and shrimp collected by Darwin and different naturalists throughout early scientific expeditions.
The evaluation revealed that preservation practices various relying on each the kind of organism and the time interval by which the specimen was saved.
For instance, mammals and reptiles had been typically handled with formalin earlier than being saved in ethanol. Invertebrates, nevertheless, had been preserved utilizing a wider vary of liquids, together with formalin, buffered options, or mixtures that contained components resembling glycerol.
Figuring out Preservation Fluids
The researchers had been in a position to accurately decide the preservation fluids in about 80% of the specimens they examined. In one other 15% of circumstances, the method offered partial identification.
The tactic additionally revealed whether or not the containers had been comprised of glass or plastic. This data helps scientists higher perceive how storage practices have modified over time.
The venture was a collaboration between:
- the Science and Know-how Services Council (STFC)
- the Pure Historical past Museum
- Agilent Applied sciences
Transportable Laser Know-how Scans Specimen Jars
To carry out the evaluation, researchers used a transportable laser spectroscopy methodology known as Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS). This expertise permits scientists to look at the chemical composition of preservation fluids via the partitions of sealed containers.
SORS works by directing laser gentle right into a jar and measuring how the sunshine adjustments when it scatters and displays again. These delicate wavelength shifts reveal the chemical signatures of drugs contained in the container.
Initially developed at STFC’s Central Laser Facility, SORS can be utilized in airport safety scanners worldwide via Agilent Applied sciences.
Dr. Sara Mosca, STFC Central Laser Facility mentioned:
“Till now, understanding what preservation fluid is in every jar meant opening them, which dangers evaporation, contamination, and exposing specimens to environmental injury.
“This system permits us to observe and look after these invaluable specimens with out compromising their integrity.”
A New Instrument for Museum Collections
Museums world wide maintain greater than 100 million specimens preserved in liquid.
For curators, figuring out the precise chemical make-up of the preservation fluid is important for monitoring the situation of those collections. Over time, fluids can degrade or evaporate, doubtlessly damaging the specimens.
Having the ability to analyze these liquids with out opening the containers offers museum professionals a robust new method to monitor assortment well being and intervene earlier than issues happen.
Remodeling Pure Historical past Analysis
Wren Montgomery, analysis technician on the Pure Historical past Museum, says:
“As a part of NHM Unlocked, right here on the Museum we will analyse jars containing specimens with out opening and disturbing their integrity.
“This work is the subsequent step in demonstrating the Museum’s dedication to remodeling the research of pure historical past.
“Analyzing the storage circumstances of treasured specimens, and understanding the fluid by which they’re stored, may have large implications for a way we look after collections and protect them for future analysis for years to come back.”
The research was revealed in ACS Omega and was featured because the ACS Editors’ Selection on January 13, 2026.
