Identifying the Nature of Sandarac Resin in Iran's Market by Using FTIR

The aim of this research is to study sandarac ingredients as a resin in Iranian market according to its molecular structure. Fourier transform infrared spectra of resins, which is sold as sandarac in Iranian market, were investigated and their spectra were compared with three reference resins including Manilla copal, Sandarac and Colophony. Sandarac is a diterpenoid resin extracted from Tetraclinis articulata Vahl as a native plant of north western Africa. It has been used for production of various kinds of painting varnishes and artwork coatings. It seems that different resins such as copal, colophony and sandarac were known as sandarac in the past. Nowadays, many resins with different forms and colors are sold in Iran as sandarac and contemporary traditional artists use them for manufacturing "Kaman Oil" coating (a traditional Persian resin–oil varnish). Results showed that all the three kinds of resins (copal, colophony and sandarac) are sold and presented in Iran as sandarac.