Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether DNA was degraded in the manufacturing of
animal glue. To test this, two different types of sturgeon glue (Acipenser sp.) were
manufactured using historic recipes. One glue was boiled for a substantial amount of time and
the other was kept under 75°C. DNA samples were collected from both glues in order to test
whether the DNA was degraded in the heating process of making the glue. It was also tested
whether two different kinds of flex canvas (for paintings), one coarse and one fine weaved
would inhibit the PCR reaction. To do this the glue were applied onto the canvas and samples
were collected. To examine the sample size needed to get an amplifiable DNA sample, different
sizes were collected of the canvas, 1.0cm2; 0,5cm2 and 0,5cm of a single thread. It was possible
to get amplifiable DNA in 11 out of 12 samples collected after the manufacturing of the glue
and in 18 out of 24 samples collected of the canvas. In four out of the five cases where it was
not possible amplify DNA, the sample belongs to the smallest size of the canvas investigated.
As shown in this study it is possible to get DNA out of boiled animal glue and glue applied onto
canvas. The application of a DNA techniques provides several new possibilities for further
material analysis of (pre)historic artefacts.
animal glue. To test this, two different types of sturgeon glue (Acipenser sp.) were
manufactured using historic recipes. One glue was boiled for a substantial amount of time and
the other was kept under 75°C. DNA samples were collected from both glues in order to test
whether the DNA was degraded in the heating process of making the glue. It was also tested
whether two different kinds of flex canvas (for paintings), one coarse and one fine weaved
would inhibit the PCR reaction. To do this the glue were applied onto the canvas and samples
were collected. To examine the sample size needed to get an amplifiable DNA sample, different
sizes were collected of the canvas, 1.0cm2; 0,5cm2 and 0,5cm of a single thread. It was possible
to get amplifiable DNA in 11 out of 12 samples collected after the manufacturing of the glue
and in 18 out of 24 samples collected of the canvas. In four out of the five cases where it was
not possible amplify DNA, the sample belongs to the smallest size of the canvas investigated.
As shown in this study it is possible to get DNA out of boiled animal glue and glue applied onto
canvas. The application of a DNA techniques provides several new possibilities for further
material analysis of (pre)historic artefacts.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | International Journal of Conservation Science |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 369-378 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISSN | 2067-533X |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2014 |
Keywords
- animal adhesive
- mtDNA
- glue
- Sturgeon glue
- organic binding media
Artistic research
- No