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Gamma-radiation combined with tricycloazole to protect tempera paintings in ancient Egyptian tombs (Nile Delta, Lower Egypt)

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Abstract

Eight out of 46 strains of Streptomyces isolated from mural paintings in the Tell Basta and Tanis tombs were exposed to various doses of gamma radiation (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 kGy). Tricyclazole (5, 7, 10 µg/mL) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 10 µg/mL completely inhibited melanin production in Streptomyces spp. after their gamma irradiation to sub-lethal doses. FT/IR spectra proved that the gypsum support, the binding media (which consisted of Arabic gum, and animal glue), and pigments all had withstood the doses up to 25 kGy, with except vermillion showed slight change. No effect of gamma irradiation up to 25 kGy on gypsum support was detected, so gamma irradiation could be considered a safe method for decontamination of biodeteriorated cultural heritage objects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conservation Center, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), Cairo, Egypt

    Akmal A. Sakr

  2. Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Mohamed F. Ghaly

  3. Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK

    Howell G. M. Edwards

  4. Department of Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Education, Matrouh University, Matrouh, Egypt

    Y. H. Elbashar

  5. Egypt Nanotechnology Center (EGNC), Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Y. H. Elbashar

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  1. Akmal A. Sakr
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  2. Mohamed F. Ghaly
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  3. Howell G. M. Edwards
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  4. Y. H. Elbashar
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Correspondence to Y. H. Elbashar.

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Sakr, A.A., Ghaly, M.F., Edwards, H.G.M. et al. Gamma-radiation combined with tricycloazole to protect tempera paintings in ancient Egyptian tombs (Nile Delta, Lower Egypt). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 321, 263–276 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-019-06580-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-019-06580-z

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