JAIC 1998, Volume 37, Number 3, Article 4 (pp. 294 to 311)
JAIC online
Journal of the American Institute for Conservation
JAIC 1998, Volume 37, Number 3, Article 4 (pp. 294 to 311)

THE DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL APPLICATION OF A GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF GUM MEDIA

SARAH L. VALLANCE, B.W. SINGER, S. M. HITCHEN, & J. H. TOWNSEND


ABSTRACT—This article details the initial investigations into the development and application of a simple, “one-pot” hydrolysis and derivatization procedure for the characterization of natural gum-based artists' binding media. Samples were hydrolyzed under acid conditions, then silylated with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). Separation and analysis of the volatile monosaccharide derivatives were achieved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selected ion monitoring (SIM). A selection of standard gum media was analyzed using this method, and a small number of suspected gum media samples taken from William Blake's temperas were characterized thus: results frequently indicated the presence of mixed gum media (commonly containing gums tragacanth, karaya, and arabic) with added cane sugar.
[Spanish Abstract] [French Abstract]

Article Sections:

1. INTRODUCTION
2. ANALYSIS OF NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDE MATERIALS
3. EXPERIMENTAL
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
5. CONCLUSIONS
a: Materials , References , Author Information
Entire Article

Copyright � 1998 American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works