Prunus laurocerasus

In the new item of the German Preparators' Association magazine Der
Praparator 1:2001, p 13-31, Klaus Wechsler et al introduce a method
to soften and restore organic material that has dried out to the
original preserved form, such as formalin and alcohol preparations,
bird skin, dried and pressed plants, fibrous tissue of plants
(tapa), etc.

Released from cut leaves of the cherrylaurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
aerosols and other cyanogenic glycosides bring about the softening
process. A number of possible applications are described. This
method can also be applied for the restauration of ethnological
items.

I intend to use this method for relaxing an 85 years old fox shark
(Alopias vulpes) for repairing cracks in parts of the four meter
long mount. My questions are:

    1.  Has anyone any further information with regard to this?

    2.  Has anyone information about the chemistry of the aerosols
        and cyanogenic glycosides in the cherrylaurel?

    3.  Are there any risks to the objects by this treatment?

Thomas Gutebier
Naturhistoriska Museet
Box 7283
S-40235 Goteborg
Sweden
+46 31 7752416
+Fax: 46 31 129807


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 14:60
                   Distributed: Tuesday, May 8, 2001
                       Message Id: cdl-14-60-010
                                  ***