Identification of binding media in cultural heritage using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24700934
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cultural property science
• Research Institution: The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: TAKASHIMA Miho 独立行政法人国立美術館国立西洋美術館, 学芸課, 研究補佐員 (80443159)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ELISA / エライザ / 展色剤 / 膠着剤 / 蛋白質 / 植物ガム / バーミヤーン / 抗体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The immunological technique, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was modified upon several series of lab testsused to identify proteinaceous materials (i.e. animal glue, fish glue, egg and milk casein) and plant gums in binding media and adhesives on used in works of art. The detection limit of this assay is extremely low at about 0.1 ng - 50 ng/100μL, for the proteinaceous materials and plant gums. This sensitivity is the biggest advantage of method which allows us to use minimal amount of sample from the works of art. Many samples from naturally aged easel replica paintings were tested using ELISA, and actualfurther, wall painting samples from Bamiyan Buddhist caves (from the 5th century to the late 8th century) were analyzed, which successfully revealed the presence of animal glue (and/or fish glue), egg white, milk casein and plant gums.

Free Research Field

保存科学