Analytical techniques used for the evaluation of a 19th century quranic manuscript conditions

Abstract

The manuscript studied here dates to 19th century, and consists of paper pages and leather bookbinding. This study aims to use analytical techniques in order to identify the components of the manuscript and to explain its deterioration process. Visual assessment, isolation and identification of fungi, pH measurements, and investigation of the surface morphology by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to explain paper and leather deterioration. X-ray diffraction with EDAX, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and chemical analysis were used to identify pigments, binder of pigments, ash, lignin, and the α-cellulose content of papers. The shrinkage temperature measurement was used to explain the deterioration process of leather. SEM was used to identify the type of animal skin used for the bookbinding and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the vegetable tanning material used with the bookbinding. The results revealed that the ink used was a mixture of carbon with iron gall. The pigments used on the paper were gold leaf or gold shell, cobalt oxide, and mercuric sulfide for the gold, blue and red colors respectively. Sodium chloride was the main salt crystallized on the surface of paper. Calcium carbonate was the filler used in the paper making process. Cotton fibers may have been used as a raw material in the creation of paper. The values of the shrinkage temperature and pH were lower than in normal conditions, indicating that the leather bookbinding suffers from deterioration. Aspergillus sp., and Penicillium sp. were the most dominant fungi found on the manuscript. Goat skin was identified as the animal skin of the bookbinding, and Acacia Arabica was identified the tanning material used with the bookbinding. The condition of the manuscript studied with its components play an important role in its deterioration.