Impact of biological factors on binding media identification in art objects: Identification of animal glue in the presence of Aspergillus niger

• Published in: Journal of separation science Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 167 - 173
• Main Authors: Tsakalof, Andreas K., Bairachtari, Kyriaki A., Aslani, Ioanna S., Chryssoulakis, Ioannis D., Kolisis, Fragiskos N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.02.2004; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: Adhesives - chemistry; Amino Acids - analysis; Analytical chemistry; Animals; Applied sciences; Artefacts; Aspergillus niger - growth & development; Binding media identification; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Coatings. Paints, varnishes and inks; Components, formulation; Environmental Microbiology; Exact sciences and technology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Other chromatographic methods; Paint - analysis; Paint - microbiology; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Biodegradation; Chemical analysis; Cultural artefact; Coupled method; Animal origin; Artefact; Natural compound; Protein; Fungi; Gas chromatography; Binder (paint); Aspergillus niger; Medium effect; Aminoacid; Chemical composition; Fungi Imperfecti; Painting (art); Mass spectrometry; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 1615-9306; 1615-9314
• DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200301627

The materials and especially organic materials used for creation of art objects can be utilized by various microorganisms for their growth and facilitate the microbial colonization of the object. An understanding of the chemical alterations in artefacts caused by the presence of microorganisms can be crucial for correct identification of the materials initially used for the artefact creation – nowadays an important step in restoration and/or art‐historical investigation of the art object. The present article describes a model experiment in which we investigated the possible chemical alterations in animal glue films used as substrate for growth of the fungus Aspergillus niger. The sterilized animal glue solution was poured into Petri dishes, inoculated with Aspergillus niger, and subsequently incubated at 15°C for 0, 7, 9, 14, and 28 days. After interruption of incubation, the content of the Petri dish was analyzed for amino acid composition by the GC‐MS based method. It was found that the growth of Aspergillus niger on animal glue films did not cause significant changes in the amino acid composition of the film and had no impact on animal glue identification.