Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T23:28:42.719Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Immunological Methods for the Detection of Binders in Ancient Tibetan Murals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2019

Meng Wu
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Xinhui Zou
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Bingjian Zhang*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China Department of Cultural Heritage and Museology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310028, China
Fan Zhao
Affiliation:
Sichuan Provincial Institute of Antiquity and Archaeology, Chengdu 310014, China
Zhenbin Xie
Affiliation:
Sichuan Provincial Institute of Antiquity and Archaeology, Chengdu 310014, China
*
*Author for correspondence: Bingjian Zhang, E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Tibetan mural samples from the Jiazhaer mountain cave were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). Samples containing protein binders were first identified using ELISA, and then IFM was used to determine the location of protein binders. Using these methods, we discovered gelatin and casein in samples from wall murals, distributed in both red and black pigments. We excluded the possibility of contamination by conducting further experiments where simulated samples were spiked with milk. We conclude that both gelatin and casein were used as binders in the pigments of the Tibetan Buddhist murals in the Jiazhaer (Transliteration from Tibetan) mountain cave. This is the first evidence of casein being used as a binder in Chinese mural pigments.

Type
Micrographia
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arslanoglu, J & Schultz, J (2009). Immunology and Art: Using antibody-based techniques to identify proteins and gums in binding Media and adhesives. Metrop Mus Art Bull 67(1), 4045.Google Scholar
Arslanoglu, J, Schultz, J, Loike, J & Peterson, K (2010). Immunology and art: Using antibody-based techniques to identify proteins and gums in artworks. J Biosci 35(1), 310.Google Scholar
Di Lernia, S, Bruni, S, Cislaghi, I, Cremaschi, M, Gallinaro, M, Gugliemi, V & Zerboni, A (2016). Colour in context. Pigments and other coloured residues from the Early-Middle Holocene site of Takarkori (SW Libya). Archaeolog Anthropolog Sci 8(2), 381402.10.1007/s12520-015-0229-4Google Scholar
El-Badry, HM (2012). Micromanipulators and Micromanipulation, Vol. 3. Vienna: Springer Science & Business Media.Google Scholar
Heginbotham, A, Millay, V & Quick, M (2006). The Use of immunofluorescence microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays complementary techniques for protein identification in artists’ materials. J Am Inst Conserv 45(2), 89105.Google Scholar
Hu, W, Zhang, H & Zhang, B (2015 a). Identification of organic binders in ancient Chinese paintings by immunological techniques. Microsc Microanal 21(5), 12781287.Google Scholar
Hu, W, Zhang, K, Zhang, H, Zhang, B & Rong, B (2015 b). Analysis of polychromy binder on Qin Shihuang's Terracotta warriors by immunofluorescence microscopy. J Cult Herit 16(2), 244248.Google Scholar
Liu, L, Shen, W, Zhang, B & Ma, Q (2016 a). Microchemical study of pigments and binders in polychrome relics from Maiji Mountain grottoes in northwestern China. Microsc Microanal 22(4), 845856.10.1017/S1431927616011302Google Scholar
Liu, LIU, Wei, SHEN, Zhang, B & Youcheng, HAN (2016 b). Determination of proteinaceous binders for polychrome relics of Xumi Mountain grottoes by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence microscopy. Int J Conserv Sci 7(1), 314.Google Scholar
Liu, M, Xie, J, Zheng, H, Zhou, Y, Wang, B & Hu, Z (2015). Identification of ancient silk using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immuno-fluorescence microscopy. Anal Sci 31(12), 13171323.Google Scholar
Ren, F, Atlasevich, N, Baade, B, Loike, J & Arslanoglu, J (2016). Influence of pigments and protein aging on protein identification in historically representative casein-based paints using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anal Bioanal Chem 408(1), 203215.10.1007/s00216-015-9089-0Google Scholar
Palmieri, M, Vagnini, M, Pitzurra, L, Brunetti, BG & Cartechini, L (2013). Identification of animal glue and hen-egg yolk in paintings by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anal Bioanal Chem 405(19), 63656371.10.1007/s00216-013-7045-4Google Scholar
Wang, B, Gu, J, You, Q, Chen, B, Zheng, H, Zhou, Y & Hu, Z (2018). Preparation of artificial antibodies and development of an antibody-based indirect ELISA for the detection of ancient wool. Anal Methods 10(12), 14801487.Google Scholar
Wu, M, Zhang, B, Sun, G & Jiang, L (2017). Determination of lacquer contained in samples of cultural relics by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. New J Chem 41, 62266231.10.1039/C7NJ00831GGoogle Scholar
Zheng, Q, Wu, X, Zheng, H & Zhou, Y (2015). Development of an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay technique for accurate identification of poorly preserved silks unearthed in ancient tombs. Anal Bioanal Chem 407(13), 38613867.Google Scholar