BIOCHEMICAL METHODS IN CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION STUDIES: AN ALKYLATION ENZYME, S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE TRANSMETHYLASE

摘要

An enzyme preparation containing a set of tetrahydrofolate-deendent S-adenosylmethionine trans- methylases (SAMT) ISOLATED FROM Penicillium chrysodenum microsomes is proposed as a reagent for the non-destructive treatment of historic linen textiles (A. D. 640-1585) with the aim of dealkylating their age- related methylcellulose domains. Using this dealkylation technique it is possible to show that a direct positive correlation exists between samples of different calendar ages and their degree of cellulose methylation, which makes it useful for dating purposes.