GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS Lorena Botti, Aldo Michela Berzioli, Antonella

Corazza, Simonetta Casoli, Clelia Isca

Iannuccelli, Matteo Placido, Dipartimento di Chimica Generale
Luciano Residori, Daniele ed Inorganica, Chimica Analitica, Chimica Fisica
Ruggiero, Silvia Sotgiu*, Università degli Studi di Parma
Lorena Tireni Parma, Italy
Istituto Centrale per il Restauro e la michela.berzioli@libero.it Evaluation of
Conservazione del Patrimonio Archivistico antonella.casoli@unipr.it cleaning and chemical
e Librario (ICPAL) clelia.isca@libero.it stabilization of paper
Roma, Italy
lorena.botti@beniculturali.it
Paolo Cremonesi
Cesmar 7 – Centro per lo Studio
treated with a rigid
aldo_corazza@libero.it dei Materiali per il Restauro hydrogel of gellan
simonetta.iannuccelli@beniculturali.it Verona, Italy gum by means of
matteo.placido@beniculturali.it paolocremonesi57@gmail.com chemical and physical
luciano.residori@beniculturali.it *Author for correspondence
daniele.ruggiero@beniculturali.it
analyses
silvia.sotgiu@beniculturali.it
lorena.tireni@beniculturali.it

Keywords: paper conservation, gellan Gellan gum and its application in wet conservation
gum, SEC, GC-MS, mechanical testing,
treatments
colourimetric analysis, pH, alkaline
reserve
Gellan gum is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide produced by
Pseudomonas elodea. It is used as a gelling agent in food, biomedicine and the
Abstract pharmaceutical industry. The polymer is a linear anionic heteropolysaccharide
Wet treatments of works of graphic art should made of β-D-Glucose, α-L-Rhamnose and β-D Glucuronic acid repeating
be chosen by carefully assessing the extent units as the main monosaccharides. Gellan gum forms different types
of modifications caused on the original ma-
of gels depending on acyl contents (Figure 1) (Bajaj et al. 2007). The
terials. In order to optimise the presence of
water and minimise the impact on the paper deacylated type, selected for conservation purposes, forms hard and brittle
support, a new method was developed that gels in the presence of cations (especially Ca2+). The rheological properties
can be used for cleaning purposes, linings highlight a structure that has a very high degree of visco-elasticity and
removal, deacidification with calcium propi-
is film-forming, homogeneous, transparent and very stable both to high
onate Ca(C2H5COO)2 and reductive bleaching
with borane tert-butylamine (CH3)3CNH2 · BH3. temperatures and to pH variations (Sworn 2009). The sol-gel transition
Chemical and physical analyses (using gas process takes place by cooling a water dispersion of gellan gum heated to
chromatography coupled to mass spectrom- 100°C to 30-40°C until it becomes a solution. As well as being directly
etry, size-exclusion chromatography, colou-
influenced by temperature, the mechanism of gel formation is related to
rimetric analyses) were carried out to under-
stand which materials the gel can extract the presence of mono or bivalent cations in water; if necessary, a salt like
during the cleaning treatment and to verify calcium acetate Ca(CH3COO)2 or calcium bicarbonate Ca(HCO3)2 can be
colour modifications. In order to compare added to water. Studies are currently under way in order to select the best
the effectiveness of chemical stabilisation
buffer solution to stabilise the gel’s pH and achieve neutrality.
treatments conducted by immersion or by
gel contact, pH and alkaline reserve analyses
were performed. To ascertain whether the
use of rigid gels such as gellan gum and Agar
could result in increased fragility of the treat-
ed paper, mechanical testing was conducted
on treated and untreated paper samples.

Résumé
Figure 1
Les traitements humides des œuvres d’art
Primary structure of deacetylated gellan gum
graphique doivent être choisis en évaluant
avec précaution l’étendue des altérations
qui affectent les matériaux d’origine. Afin Cleaning, deacidification and reductive bleaching
d’optimiser la quantité d’eau employée et treatments
de réduire son impact sur le support en pa-
pier, une nouvelle méthode a été conçue, As a cleaning treatment, the gel can be applied directly to the recto of
utilisable en cas de nettoyage, de retrait a pre-wetted print work (Figure 2a) or by contact with the verso of a
des rentoilages, de désacidification avec du
drawing (Figure 2b) (Iannuccelli et al. 2010). Gellan gradually releases
propionate de calcium Ca(C2H5COO)2 et de
blanchiment réducteur avec du tert-butyla- water molecules into the paper, while the most common degradation agents
mine- borane (CH3)3CNH2 · BH3. Des analyses present on the paper are picked up by it.
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 Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses

physiques et chimiques (chromatographie

gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de mas-
se, chromatographie d’exclusion-diffusion et
analyses colorimétriques) ont été réalisées
pour comprendre quels matériaux le gel peut
extraire lors du traitement de nettoyage et
pour vérifier les variations de couleur. Afin de
comparer l’efficacité des traitements de sta-
bilisation chimique effectués par immersion
ou par contact avec le gel, des analyses du pH
et de la réserve alcaline ont été menées. Pour
déterminer si l’emploi de gels rigides comme
la gomme gellan et l’agar pourraient entraî-
ner une fragilité accrue du papier traité, des
tests mécaniques ont été effectués sur des
échantillons de papier traités et non traités.

Resumen
Los tratamientos en húmedo de obras de arte
gráfico deberían elegirse cuidadosamente,
valorando el alcance de las modificaciones
causadas en los materiales originales. Para
optimizar la presencia de agua y minimizar el
impacto sobre el soporte de papel, se desa-
rrolló un nuevo método que se puede utilizar
para limpiar, eliminar revestimientos, desaci-
dificar con propionato de calcio, Ca(C2H5COO)2,
y realizar un blanqueamiento reductor con
terc-butilamina borano (CH3)3CNH2 · BH3. Se
realizaron análisis químicos y físicos (usando
cromatografía de gas acoplada a espectro-
metría de masas, cromatografía de exclusión
por tamaños y análisis colorimétrico) para
comprender qué materiales puede extraer
el gel durante el tratamiento de limpieza, y
para verificar modificaciones en el color. Con
el objetivo de comparar la efectividad de los
tratamientos de estabilización química por
inmersión o por contacto con el gel, se reali-
zaron análisis de pH y de reserva alcalina. Para
determinar si el uso de geles rígidos, como la Figure 2
goma gellan y el Agar, podrían causar una (a) Scheme of gel application on the recto of a print work; (b) scheme of gel application underneath a
mayor fragilidad en el papel tratado, se reali- drawing, using an interleaving tissue between the two surfaces; (c–d) Burin engraving Basilica S. Petri in
zó un ensayo mecánico en muestras de papel Vaticano (1626) by Giacomo Lauro before and after a cleaning treatment; (e) the clearly yellowed gel after
tratado y sin tratar. treatment; (f–g) close-up of the marks from the engraving printing ink and of the grooves created by them
over the gel after treatment

The yellowing of the gel after treatment is due to the migration of water-
soluble chromogenic components, likely including organic acids (R-COOH)
transferred into the gel from the paper support (Figures 2 c–e). Gellan performs
a cleaning process similar to washing, optimising the solvent power of water
which is introduced into the support very gradually, constantly and uniformly.
Percentages of increase in weight, measured on samples of Whatman paper
after gellan contact, show that the water uptake is inversely proportional
to gel concentration. Furthermore, the quantity of water transferred into
the sample treated with 1% gellan for 18 hours was lower than the amount
absorbed by the sample immersed in water for just 10 minutes (Table 1).
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GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS
Table 1
Percentages of increase in weight of
Whatman paper after contact with gellan
gum at different concentrations and after
immersion in free water for 10 minutes and
for 18 hours. Readings taken with Wunder
BH-150 scales (Max 150 g; d: 0,005 g) at 26°C
and RH equal to 55%
Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses
The safeguarding of morphological characteristics is guaranteed by the
visco-elasticity of gellan gum. This allows the gel to mould itself to the
three-dimensional relief of graphic print marks and to the surface texture
of the paper (Figures 2 f–g).
Sometimes the precarious state of preservation of the work requires a chemical
stabilisation which, generally, involves deacidification and reductive bleaching
treatments. The wide range of pH stability of gellan gum allows the gelification
of deacidifying aqueous solutions and reducing agents. For a deacidification
treatment, a rigid deacidifying gel is prepared, starting with a saline solution
(0.4 g/l of calcium acetate) to which a deacidifier can be added, followed by
the selected percentage of gellan gum (generally 2%). Experiments were begun
with a ‘ready to use’ deacidifier such as calcium propionate Ca(C2H5COO)2
(3.5-5 g/l). It was then planned to verify in a next stage the effectiveness of
deacidifying gels prepared with calcium bicarbonate solutions. The dispersion
is then heated up to 100°C in the microwave until it becomes a solution.
The obtained solution could be poured into a basin while still hot and runny
and then the sol-gel transition awaited via cooling. The deacidifying gel is
slightly opaque but maintains its filmogenic and elastic quality unaltered.
The reductive bleaching gel is prepared starting with a saline solution (0.4 g/l
of calcium acetate) to which gellan powder (20 g/l) is added. The reducing
agent, selected for the first step of the research – Borane tert-butylamine
(CH3)3CNH2 · BH3 (7 g/l) – must be added under an extractor fan, after the
heating cycle is accomplished (recommended PPE: eyeglasses or goggles
EN166, gloves and respirators EN149).
Gellan can also gelify aqueous solutions containing both calcium propionate
and Borane tert-butylamine for a simultaneous treatment: in this case, a
deacidifying gel is prepared as described above (0.4 g/l calcium acetate,
3.5-5 g/l calcium proprionate) with the gellan required (20 g/l). Borane
tert-butylamine must be added at the end of the heating cycle using the
safety measures mentioned above.
Gellan, used as a carrier for chemical stabilisation treatments, can be
applied on the paper immediately after the cleaning treatment and can
last up to two hours. The application technique, as in the case of cleaning,
consists in placing the gel directly on the recto of a print work or – in
case of water-sensitive graphic media– in placing the work over the gel
(Iannuccelli et al. 2010).
Experimental methods, results and discussion
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis
A rigid gel of 2% gellan gum (Kelcogel® CG-LA) was applied for 30 minutes
on an ancient paper (17th century) to carry out cleaning treatment. Then
the rigid gel was put into a Buchner filter on a Buchner flask and it was
cleaned with a 0.15 M sodium chloride solution in distilled water under
vacuum conditions in order to release paper compounds trapped in the
gel after the treatment.
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 Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize the

monosaccharide mixtures of ancient papers and those of the gel (gellan
gum) used for cleaning treatment, in order to understand polysaccharide
composition and to verify which compounds gellan gum is able to extract
from paper.

Figure 3
Chromatogram of gellan gum (Kelcogel CG-LA) obtained by GC-MS analysis. The main monosaccharides
detected are rhamnose (Rha), glucose (Glu), glucuronic acid (AcGlcU), mannose (Man) and galactose (Gal).
Sorbitol is the Internal Standard

The sample (gellan gum in powder, 17th-century paper and the water extracted
from gellan gum after the cleaning treatment), after acid hydrolysis, is first
mercaptalated with a mixture of ethanthiol and trifluoracetic acid (2:1) and
then derivatized in the same schlenk tube. The obtained diethyldithioacetal
trimethylsilylates are analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
(Pitthard et al. 2001). Figure 3 represents the chromatogram of gellan
gum. These preliminary results show the presence of different kinds of
monosaccharides: rhamnose, glucose and glucuronic acid as the main
sugars; mannose and galactose in trace. Sorbitol 0.01M in water solution
was used as the Internal Standard. Figure 4 shows the main monosaccharides
detected in the paper sample (chromatogram a), namely: glucose, rhamnose,
mannose, xylose, galactose and glucuronic acid. The presence of different
sugars from glucose, such as the pentose sugar xylose, could derive from
hemicellulose (low molecular weight polysaccharides linked to cellulose
with hydrogen bonds) (Campanella et al. 2007). In the chromatogram
of the water extract from the gel used in the cleaning treatment (b), the

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 Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses

monosaccharides detected were: glucose, mannose, galactose, xylose and

rhamnose. If the three chromatograms (Figure 3, 4 a–b) are compared, we
can observe the presence of xylose in the paper sample and in the water
extract from the gel but not in the chromatogram of gellan gum in powder.
Therefore, the presence of xylose in water extracted by gel could be
explained by a partial extraction of paper’s hemicellulose and hydrosoluble
sugars during cleaning treatment with rigid polysaccharide gel. High
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis
analysis (CE) will be performed to obtain more information about the
product extracted by the gel (Uchida et al. 2007).

Figure 4
Chromatogram (a): ancient paper (17th century); chromatogram (b): water extract of rigid gel (gellan gum)
obtained by GC-MS analysis. The main monosaccharides detected in the paper sample (chromatogram a)
are: glucose (Glu), rhamnose (Rha), mannose (Man), xylose (Xyl), galactose (Gal), glucuronic acid (AcGlcU).
The main monosaccharides detected in gel extract (chromatogram b) are: glucose (Glu), rhamnose (Rha),
mannose (Man), xylose (Xyl), galactose (Gal). Sorbitol is the Internal Standard

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis

The samples (3 × 3 cm) obtained from the same paper, before and after
treatment, were left in a flask containing 90 ml of a 0.15 M sodium chloride
solution in distilled water for four hours. The samples were then removed and
the solution concentrated on a Rotavapor. 2 ml of 0.15 M sodium chloride
solution in distilled water were added and after filtration the solution was
analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography in order to obtain information
about average the molecular weights of the hydrosoluble polysaccharide
fractions. For size-exclusion chromatography analysis, a column with a
diameter of 9 mm and a height of 25 cm was used. The stationary phase
used Sephacryl 400 HR -S 400HR-750 ML: Poly([allyl dextran]-co-N,N’-
methylenebisacrylamide), 25-75 μm in Ethanol 20% (Sigma Aldrich). The
mobile phase used NaCl (0.15 M) electrolyte solution. Standards used
were dextrans (Mw: 1400000, 410000, 150000, 50000, 12000).

5
 Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses

The collected fractions were treated with 95% sulfuric acid and 80%
phenol and then analysed by a double beam spectrophotometer UV-VIS
(Dubois et al. 1956).

In Figure 5, the chromatogram of the paper before treatment (NT-600) is

compared to that of the paper after treatment (CRT-600 GLL). The main
peak at about 37 ml of elution volume is observable, which corresponds
to a polysaccharide fraction from paper. If the chromatogram before and
after the cleaning treatment with gellan gum is compared, a decrease in
the chromatographic peak is observable due to partial extraction by the
gel. Table 2 shows the volume elution (Vel), the absorbance at 485 nm,
the molecular weight (Mw) and the degree of polymerization (DP) values
relative to each chromatographic peak. The degree of polymerization
(DP) was calculated taking the disaccharide cellobiose as the basic unit.
Molecular weight was calculated from the calibration line (Figure 6).
Most of the fraction eluted at the chromatographic peak number 5 has a
molecular weight of about Mw = 7,655 and corresponds to a degree of
polymerization of about 22 (small sugars).

Figure 5
Chromatogram of polysaccharide fractions of ancient paper before (NT-600) and after gel treatment (CRT-
600 GLL) obtained by SEC analysis

Figure 6
Calibration line obtained using dextrans of known molecular weight as standard

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GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS
Figure 7
Control-A: test results of untreated paper;
Sample 2b: test results of cleaned paper
(1 hour treatment) with 2 percent Agar-agar;
Sample 3b: test results of cleaned paper
(1 hour treatment) with 2 percent Kelcogel
Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses
Table 2
Elution peaks with their volume elution, molecular weight and DP of polysaccharide fraction from paper
samples
Mechanical testing
In textiles conservation, it is generally accepted that the aqueous washing
of an aged cellulosic material could bring about an increase in fragility, due
to removal of hydro-soluble polysaccharide fragments which contribute
to the material cohesion. To verify this hypothesis in our study, untreated
and rigid gel-treated (with both Agar [Campani et al. 2007, Isca 2009] and
Kelcogel CG-LA™-Gellan) 17th-century paper samples (70 × 30 mm)
were tested for mechanical strength (Mecklenburg 2010). 1
In Figure 7, Control-A shows the test results of three strips of untreated
paper. The average tensile stress at break is about 4 MPa and the average
tensile strain at break is about 0.014.
Diagrams of Sample 2b and Sample 3b in Figure 7 show the preliminary
results: treated paper samples do not appear weaker. The diagram of
Sample 2b shows the test results for paper treated with Agar. Average
tensile stress at break is about 5 MPa and the average strain at break is
about 0.018. The diagram of Sample 3b shows the test results of papers
treated with gellan. The average stress at break is about 5.3 MPa and the
average strain at break is about 0.0143. In both of the treated paper cases,
there is an average increase in strength and an increase of the strain to
failure when compared to the untreated paper. The paper treated with gellan
shows a distinct increase in the stiffness (modulus) of the paper.
The increased strength of treated paper may definitely be due to the
positive effect of the aqueous treatment in reconstituting, or even
enhancing, the hydrogen bonds between fibres; however, at this time we
cannot definitely rule out a contribution from the presence of residual
polysaccharide materials from the gels. Nevertheless, comparing SEM
observations of four paper samples dating from the 17th century - (a)
untreated, (b) cleaned with a hydroalcolic solution 50:50, (c) cleaned with
2% methylhydroxyethylcellulose, (d) cleaned with 2% gellan gum - only
sample (c) clearly shows a residue of methylhydroxyethylcellulose left
on the surface after treatment (Figure 8).
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 Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses

Colourimetric analyses, pH and alkaline reserve measurements

before and after washing, deacidification and contextual
deacidification-reductive bleaching treatments by means of
gellan gum and immersion

The Minolta CR200 tristimulus colorimeter was employed for colourimetric

analysis. The measuring probe uses diffused light provided by a Xenon
arc lamp; only the reflected perpendicular light is collected from the
surface of the sample by optical fibers. The measurement spot area has
a diameter of 8 mm.

In the CIE 1976 colourimetric system, the “L” coordinate represents

brightness, the ratio between the intensity of incident light and the reflected
one, and the “a” and “b” coordinates represent the overall tone and color
saturation. The ΔE is the change in color.

Treatment efficiency was objectively evaluated by measuring pH values by

the cold extraction method (Aticelca MC 23-73), alkaline reserve (ANSI
1.53-1978) and colourimetric coordinates. All analyses were carried out
before and after treatments in order to evaluate eventual changes.
Figure 8
SEM pictures (500 x) in back-scattered mode Samples:
of four samples of 1635 paper: (a) untreated,
(b) treated by local swabbing with a • Whatman #1, a paper consisting of pure cellulose from cotton linters
hydroalcoholic solution, (c) treated with a 2
without adhesives, fillers or other interfering substances
percent cellulose ether applied by brush and
then swabbed away with a hydroalcoholic
• handmade paper dating from 1751 (78 g/m2, hemp/linen fibers, pH 6,47):
solution, (d) treated by 2 percent rigid gel
contact Sample PB 1751

• machine made paper dating from 1926 (50 g/m2, mechanical pulp,
pH 4,59, highly oxidized): Sample PB 1926.

The following treatments conducted by immersion and through 2 percent

gellan gum (Kelcogel CG-LA) were compared:

• washing

• deacidification with calcium propionate

• contextual deacidification and reductive bleaching with calcium propionate

(3.5 g/l) and Borane tert-butylamine (7 g/l).

All three papers were submitted to three treatments for 1 hour, either by
using the immersion method or by applying the gel. The results for pH
and alkaline reserve measurements are resumed in Table 3. Deacidification
treatment with calcium propionate through 2% gellan gum provides an
increase in pH values comparable to that achieved by immersion and,
furthermore, leaves an appreciable larger amount of alkaline reserve.2 The
contextual deacidification and reductive-bleaching treatment (calcium
propionate and Borane tert-butylamine) has practically the same effect.
The results for colourimetric analysis are resumed in Table 4. Also in
this case, the values of ΔE (but also ΔL, Δa and Δb) indicate that color
variations after the three treatments, performed by immersion and by
gel contact, are comparable despite the fact that the quantity of water
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 Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses

Table 3
pH and alkaline reserve measurements taken before and after treatments (values are the average of five
measurements)

Table 4
Colourimetric variations (values are the average of seven measurements for every single sample)

absorbed by samples treated by means of gel contact is lower than the

amount absorbed by immersion (Table 1).

The best results, in terms of effectiveness, were obtained when samples

were treated by contextual deacidification and reductive bleaching either
by immersion or by gel contact.

9
 Evaluation of cleaning and chemical
stabilization of paper treated
GRAPHIC DOCUMENTS with a rigid hydrogel of gellan gum
by means of chemical
and physical analyses

Conclusions

The aim of the studies conducted since 2003/2004 by the ICPAL on the
use of gellan gum was to develop an alternative method for the cleaning
of works of graphic art, limiting the morphological changes to works on
paper. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of
ancient paper (17th century) and of gel used for cleaning treatment show
the presence of different kinds of hydro-soluble sugars which may be
attributed to the presence of cellobiose and hemicellulose.

The results of size-exclusion-chromatography show the presence of low

molecular weight hydrosoluble sugars. The results of both mechanical
testing and colourimetric analyses, conducted on paper cleaned by contact
with rigid gels, show a little increase in the tensile strength of samples,
proving both the effectiveness and the safety of the proposed method.

Deacidification conducted through 2% gellan gum provides an increase in pH

values, comparable to that achieved by immersion and, furthermore, leaves
an appreciable amount of alkaline reserve. The contextual deacidification
and reductive bleaching treatment show the same trend and good results
in terms of color changes either by immersion or by gel contact.

Notes
1
The authors would like to thank Marion F. Mecklenburg, Senior Research Scientist at the
Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C., and Laura
Fuster, Associate Professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, for conducting
mechanical testing.
2
Common methods for immersion such as CaCO3 0,006N and Ca(OH)2 0,02N provide
values ​​of 0.15% and 0.75% respectively.

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by means of chemical
and physical analyses

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