Modification of EAPC-XYL by pseudomonas lipases bacteria to remove acrylic from the mural oil paintings

Abstract

This paper focuses on the removal of acrylic polymer layers from the surfaces of mural paintings, as one of the serious problems faced by conservators. Nanostructured fluids containing water is a great solution for the immiscible or partially miscible polymer with water. The de-wetting of the polymer layer is usually an essential step to achieve efficient removal. EAPC-XYL system was often used for the removal of paraloid B72 but unfortunately, it has an effect on the noble patina of the pigments. The addition of Pseudomonas stutzeri as a source of lipase enzyme increases the efficiency of the EAPC-XYL in short time which helps in removing of the acrylic polymers without affecting the pigments.The examination by SEM showed that the applying EAPC-XYL/ Pseudomonas stutzeri for only one hour has the effect of removing the polymer’s layers from the mural paintings without affecting the pigments. The FTIR analysis after application showed that the functional groups of the binding medium of the mural paintings is absence of paraloid B72.

Keywords

• nano-emulsions
• acrylic polymer
• cleaning
• oil wall paintings
• conservation
• pseudomonasstutzeri