Enzymes in the restoration of museum textiles: generalization of the experience of foreign specialists

The article analyzes publications by foreign conservators on problems of removing impurities of various kinds and old restoration adhesives from museum fabrics by means of enzymes. Enzymatic purification makes it possible to soften the treatment of dilapidated textiles by temperature and pH. The focus is on the impact of a range of enzymes (α-amylase, lipase, pectinases, pancreatin, transglutaminase, superoxide dismutase) on the surface morphology, mechanical properties and color characteristics of fabrics made of natural fibers. Tests on model samples allowed to establish the nomenclature of enzyme preparations that can be recommended for use in museum conservation. The inclusion of enzymatic purification in the restoration program is limited by conditions affecting enzymatic activity: enzymes are incompatible with many chemical reagents, have limited shelf life and strict operating conditions. Effective enzymatic purification is possible only at a not high stable temperature. Currently, new equipment has been developed that maintains a stable temperature in a soft range with uniform heat distribution over the surface. Enzymes are used not only for clearing. The method based on the use of transglutaminase (the enzyme that promotes the formation of bonds between various protein molecules) makes it possible to strengthen the old silk. A new field of application of enzymes is their use in archaeology to determine the age of cellulose textiles