The development and initial application of a gas chromatographic method for the characterization of gum media
Resource type
Journal article
Creator (person)
Vallance, Sarah L.
Singer, B. W.
Hitchin, S. M.
Townsend, Joyce H.
Date published
1998
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.
Journal title
Journal of the American Institute for Conservation
Volume
37
Issue
3
Publisher
Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd
Place of publication
Abingdon
ISSN
0197-1360
eISSN
1945-2330
Official URL