Identification of proteins in painting cross-sections by immunofluorescence microscopy

Immunofluorescence microscopy offers a highly specific analytical tool for unambiguous recognition and mapping of proteins in complex matrices. In the present work, the analytical potentials of immunofluorescence microscopy have been exploited to provide recognition of proteinaceous binders in painting cross-sections. An optimised analytical protocol is proposed for the identification of ovalbumin and of bovine serum albumin as markers of egg white and casein, respectively. The study has been carried out on laboratory model samples simulating both easel and mural paintings. The obtained results demonstrated the effectiveness of the method, suggesting the potential future use of immunofluorescence microscopy as a routine diagnostic tool in conservation science. Possible developments of the proposed methodology in order to improve the specificity of the method and its detection sensitivity are presented and discussed.