Investigation of Effects of Fumigants on Proteinaceous Components of Museum Objects (Muscle,Animal Glue and Silk) in Comparison with Other Non-chemical Pest Eradicating Measures |
| |
| Abstract: | AbstractFumigant effects on protein-based materials were examined and compared with those of non-chemical pest-eradicating measures. The responses to six fumigants – methyl bromide, methyl iodide, ethylene oxide, methyl bromide/ethylene oxide mixture, propylene oxide and sulfuryl fluoride – were examined with two controlled atmospheres and a range of thermal treatments, using protein electrophoresis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal microscopy (Tmic), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), amino acid analysis and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. A model soft-tissue protein, freeze-dried chicken muscle, was shown to be affected by some fumigants, especially methyl bromide, methyl iodide and sulfuryl fluoride (Vikane®). This is the first detailed evidence of chemical alterations of a protein material by fumigants under the common treatment conditions for museum use, especially showing a possibility of protein modification by purer grade sulfuryl fluoride whose definite mechanism of toxicity is still unknown. Residual bromine and iodine were clearly detected by XRF in the muscle specimen that had been fumigated with either methyl bromide or methyl iodide respectively, even after a single fumigation several years earlier. On the other hand, significant change in characteristics of animal glue and new and deteriorated silk textiles were not detected. However, residual bromine and occasionally iodine also were detected in the glue and silk samples fumigated by methyl bromide or methyl iodide several years earlier. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
