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Advances in Analytical Strategies to Study Cultural Heritage Samples, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 2859

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Luisa Astolfi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: analytical and bioanalytical chemistry; environmental chemistry and monitoring; elemental analysis; atomic spectroscopic techniques (ICP-MS, ICP-OES, CV-AFS, AMA, GF-AAS); sample treatment; determination of trace elements in foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Pia Sammartino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: stones; metals; painting; modelling of degradation; microclimate; sensors; biosensors; organic phase enzime electrodes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue highlights the most recent advancements and trends in cultural heritage samples' analysis, including archeological and bio-archeological samples.

Cultural heritage samples are complex matrices that are made up of many chemical species of natural origin or due to transformation by humans or the environment. Analytical chemistry in the recent past also required samples of excessive size, and its methods were not sufficiently sensitive. Today, on the other hand, it is possible to optimize analytical methods that are capable of analyzing ever-smaller samples and analytes at ever-lower concentrations. Chemical investigation can help to ascertain the processing techniques and the destinations and uses of archaeological objects, including all human interests and activities (food, art, worship, ornament, use herbal medicines, or drug remedies). Furthermore, the study of organic remains from archaeological sites addresses questions about evolution, past human activities, subsistence, health, medical and care practices, nutrition, and how humans have interacted with or modified their natural environments. In addition, knowledge of the materials used in works of art allows for implementing preventive measures for their optimal conservation and protection. Finally, chemical characterization of cultural heritage materials can help establish the geographical origin and authenticity of the find. We invite our colleagues to submit their original contributions as research articles, review articles, as well as short communications, to this Special Issue in order to provide recent updates regarding analytical strategies for all of the above-mentioned aspects.

Dr. Maria Luisa Astolfi
Dr. Maria Pia Sammartino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sample preparation
  • trace elements
  • multi-element analysis
  • spectrometric techniques
  • organic compounds
  • authenticity
  • chemical characterization
  • biological remains
  • pigments

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 7557 KiB  
Article
Hats Off to Modeling! Profiling Early Synthetic Dyes on Historic Woolen Samples with ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy and Multivariate Curve Resolution–Alternating Least Square Algorithm
by Tiziana Forleo, Lorena Carla Giannossa, Anna De Juan Capdevila, Giovanni Lagioia and Annarosa Mangone
Molecules 2024, 29(19), 4651; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194651 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 533
Abstract
This research focuses on analyzing wool samples dyed with synthetic dyes from the early 20th century. A methodology to identify and distinguish wool fibers dyed with azo, triphenylmethane, and xanthene dyes, which are no longer in use, using the ATR-FTIR spectra, is presented. [...] Read more.
This research focuses on analyzing wool samples dyed with synthetic dyes from the early 20th century. A methodology to identify and distinguish wool fibers dyed with azo, triphenylmethane, and xanthene dyes, which are no longer in use, using the ATR-FTIR spectra, is presented. Firstly, the dataset was subjected to PCA, which revealed the similarities and differences among the samples, illustrating a distribution pattern based on dye classes. MCR-ALS was employed to extract the spectral profiles of the dyed fibers, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the analytical techniques and extracting the comprehensive information from a single instrument. The combination of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with chemometric methods, such as PCA and MCR-ALS, has proven to be an effective strategy for identifying and differentiating wool fibers dyed with early azo, triphenylmethane, and xanthene dyes. This approach has demonstrated particular effectiveness in enabling rapid analysis without requiring sampling or pretreatment. Moreover, the analysis is supported by thorough bibliographic research on these no longer used colorants. In order to maximize the potential of non-destructive spectroscopic techniques, such as ATR-FTIR, the approach used has proven to be crucial. This study underscores how chemometric techniques expand the capabilities of spectroscopy, extracting extensive information from a single instrument and aligning with the goals of cultural heritage analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Analytical Strategies to Study Cultural Heritage Samples, 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 6341 KiB  
Article
Functionalization of Artwork Packaging Materials Utilizing Ag-Doped TiO2 and ZnO Nanoparticles
by Tilde de Caro, Roberta Grazia Toro, Luminita Cassone, Francesca Irene Barbaccia, Camilla Zaratti, Irene Angela Colasanti, Mauro Francesco La Russa and Andrea Macchia
Molecules 2024, 29(15), 3712; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29153712 - 5 Aug 2024
Viewed by 825
Abstract
Most of the artworks stored in museums are often kept in inappropriate climatic and environmental conditions that facilitate the formation and growth of microorganisms, such as fungi, which are responsible for many types of biodegradation phenomena. To mitigate and prevent these deteriorative processes, [...] Read more.
Most of the artworks stored in museums are often kept in inappropriate climatic and environmental conditions that facilitate the formation and growth of microorganisms, such as fungi, which are responsible for many types of biodegradation phenomena. To mitigate and prevent these deteriorative processes, functionalized packaging materials can be used for the storage and handling of artworks. The aim of this study was to develop a potential anti-biodeterioration coating suitable for packaging purposes. TiO2 and ZnO doped with different amounts of Ag (0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, and 3 wt%) were synthesized and dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and acrylic resin (Paraloid B72), then applied on different types of packaging materials (cellulose and the high-density spunbound polyethylene fiber Tyvek®, materials that are frequently used as packaging in museums). Analytical investigations (SEM/EDS, Raman, FTIR, and XRD) were employed to assess dispersion on the packaging material. Furthermore, resistance against biodeteriogens was assessed using Cladosporium sp., a bioluminometer, to define the biocidal efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Analytical Strategies to Study Cultural Heritage Samples, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 1943 KiB  
Article
Egg vs. Oil in the Cookbook of Plasters: Differentiation of Lipid Binders in Wall Paintings Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Principal Component Analysis
by Jana Nádvorníková, Václav Pitthard, Ondřej Kurka, Lukáš Kučera and Petr Barták
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1520; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071520 - 28 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 904
Abstract
Wall paintings are integral to cultural heritage and offer rich insights into historical and religious beliefs. There exist various wall painting techniques that pose challenges in binder and pigment identification, especially in the case of egg/oil-based binders. GC-MS identification of lipidic binders relies [...] Read more.
Wall paintings are integral to cultural heritage and offer rich insights into historical and religious beliefs. There exist various wall painting techniques that pose challenges in binder and pigment identification, especially in the case of egg/oil-based binders. GC-MS identification of lipidic binders relies routinely on parameters like the ratios of fatty acids within the plaster. However, the reliability of these ratios for binder identification is severely limited, as demonstrated in this manuscript. Therefore, a more reliable tool for effective differentiation between egg and oil binders based on a combination of diagnostic values, specific markers (cholesterol oxidation products), and PCA is presented in this study. Reference samples of wall paintings with egg and linseed oil binders with six different pigments were subjected to modern artificial ageing methods and subsequently analysed using two GC-MS instruments. A statistically significant difference (at a 95% confidence level) between the egg and oil binders and between the results from two GC-MS instruments was observed. These discrepancies between the results from the two GC-MS instruments are likely attributed to the heterogeneity of the samples with egg and oil binders. This study highlights the complexities in identifying wall painting binders and the need for innovative and revised analytical methods in conservation efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Analytical Strategies to Study Cultural Heritage Samples, 2nd Edition)
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