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Experimental study on the use of green antimicrobial and plasticized agents during the lining of oil paintings with gelatinous materials

Souty Adel Nassef Beskhyroun (Conservation Department, Fayoum University Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum, Egypt)
Mohamed Abdel-Aziz (Microbial Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt)

Pigment & Resin Technology

ISSN: 0369-9420

Article publication date: 23 September 2024

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the efficiency of emulsified essential oils in glycerol as eco-friendly antimicrobial and plasticized agents added to the biopolymer of gelatin for lining historical oil paintings on canvases.

Design/methodology/approach

Cedar oil, cinnamon oil and their mixtures were emulsified in glycerol and incorporated into gelatin adhesive as green biocides and plasticizers. Physical, biological, chemical and mechanical tests were conducted on experimental mock-ups to assess the gelatin-based adhesive formulations for the reinforcement of canvas supports. Scanning electron microscope, colorimetric measurements, antimicrobial activity test, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile strength and elongation tests were carried out on the mock-ups before and after the artificial aging.

Findings

The formulations of gelatin-based adhesive with cinnamon and cinnamon-cedar mixture emulsified in glycerol proved their efficiency on the antimicrobial activity test, chemically delaying the decomposition of gelatin and accordingly providing compatible mechanical properties. Gelatin-based adhesive with emulsified cinnamon oil showed a slight yellowing that was quite improved with the mixture of the cinnamon-cedar-based adhesive formulation.

Originality/value

This study promotes a green approach to lining historical oil paintings by developing green formulations from bio-based origins that minimize the shrinkage and microbial infection of gelatin for lining paintings.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Father Macary-El Makari the monk at St. Macarius the Great Monastery, Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt for providing the authors with the essential oils. The authors would also like to acknowledge Assoc/prof. Rasha Taha from the Heritage Aid Mobile Lab, Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum University for her valuable assistance in conducting the colorimetric measurements and her support in performing the ATR-FTIR analyses.

Citation

Beskhyroun, S.A.N. and Abdel-Aziz, M. (2024), "Experimental study on the use of green antimicrobial and plasticized agents during the lining of oil paintings with gelatinous materials", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-05-2024-0057

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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