title: Cleaning of paper artworks: development of an efficient gel-based material able to remove starch paste.
abstract: The removal of old glue from paper artworks is of paramount importance for the preservation of its integrity during the restoration process. Wet cleaning is one of the traditional methods, although it may cause damages on artworks. In this work, an advantageous alternative method, based on the use of a rigid hydrogel, for a simple and localized removal of starch paste from paper supports is presented. The use of an appropriate hydrogel allows to overcome many of the problems faced by restorers minimizing damages, through a controlled release of water to the artwork, and a simple and not invasive application and removal. At the same time, the specific and targeted enzyme activity leads to a significant reduction in the application time of the cleaning procedure. In this context, experiments were carried out applying Gellan hydrogel carrying α-amylase enzyme on several paper samples soiled with starch paste. To assess the cleaning efficacy of the proposed hydrogel, we have used a multidisciplinary approach, by means of spectroscopic techniques, scanning electron microscopy, chromatographic analysis, and pH investigations.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzuca
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Micheli
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cervelli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Basoli
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cencetti
authors.forename: Tommasina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coviello
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iannuccelli
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sotgiu
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palleschi
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019245:Compressive Strength; D004058:Diffusion; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D004548:Elasticity; D036681:Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching; D006244:Hardness; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010209:Paper; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D012212:Rheology; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013213:Starch / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D014783:Viscosity; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; C048288:gellan gum; D013213:Starch; D000516:alpha-Amylases
keywords: amylase; cultural heritage; gellan; hydrogel; paper artwork; paper restoration