Biochemical aspect of investigation of the natural-origin binders and varnishes in the paint layer of old paintings

The subject of this work are choosen bioanalytical methods, used for the identification of organic binders and varnishes in coloured layer of ancient paintings. In the past, the plant and animal substances were used as a binders and varnishes. To those materials belong proteins, oils, polysacharide gums and resins. Succesful analysis in the history of using binders and varnishes demands a good knowledge of their chemical qualities and reactivity during the process of aging. Nowadays are prefered the methods and technics, which don?t destruct the sample and which are non-invasive towards the whole artwork. Recently, the imunofluorescence technics have been started to use as the alternative methods of classical and easier microchemical tests. The spectroscopic methods are widely used in material investigation of ancient artworks. The main is infrared spectometry (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The methods of nuclear magnetic resonance are significant mainly for studying changes of connective and isolating material during the process of aging. To indentify mainly protein binders, the technic of mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) is widely used. Due to the progress of technic the paper and thin-layer chromatography were replaced by very effective high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC)..