Investigation of improvement of viscosity and viscidity of Eremurus ( Serish) herbal adhesive, for paper restoration aim

This study investigates the problems of using synthetic adhesives in paper restoration and pointing to the importance of resuscitation of traditional adhesives. In addition, it introduces Serish (eremurus) paste and its usage in Iranian ancient industries, besides the problems of applying it on paper. The study then provides methods to increase the viscosity and viscidity of Serish and make it applicable again.

First, the related literature were studied. Then conventional plant extraction methods include enzyme stabilization, and polysaccharide extraction was applied separately and simultaneously on the fresh Serish roots and serish powder. Then the quality of produced samples was examined using experimental methods. Boiling 70% Ethanol was applied to stabilized enzyme and sticky polysaccharides were extracted using 96% Ethanol. Extracted polysaccharides were dried using freeze drying method. Then, 2% solutions of these adhesives were prepared. Finally, the required examination of viscometry, UV-Vis spectroscopy and pH metery were experimented on the produced adhesives in different times and compared to the traditional serish paste.

The results of experiments have indicated that the stabilized methods are effective in increasing the viscosity and viscidity of the extracted adhesives. However, the extraction process using just Ethanol is not effective enough. While the method which extracting polysaccharides was applied after stabilizing enzymes is the best approach. In this method, not only the viscidity and viscosity of the serish is at its highest level, but also the pH and brightness of adhesive are increased