Rengöring av fjäder med lösningsmedel En undersökning som uppmärksammar naturliga oljor från uropygialkörteln

Abstract

When discussing the cleaning of feathers with solvents, the possible removal of natural preen oils is often mentioned. The aim of this essay, is to investigate to what extent four solvents (commonly used in conservation) remove preen oils and how they affect feathers. The solvents investigated are: ethanol, acetone, industrial methylated spirit (IMS) and de-ionized water. A literature study researched preen oils´ structure and properties. Cleaning techniques for feathers and the properties of the solvents are discussed. Soxhlet extraction is used to find out how much natural oils the four solvents remove from chicken feathers by loss of weight following both treatment and extraction. Another cleaning experiment was carried out on fresh seagull feathers to review aesthetical affects of cleaning with the selected solvents comparing them before and after. Comparison was concluded with the help of a panel of fellow students. The fine feather structure following treatments was evaluated by viewing photomicrographs. In general the results from the Soxhlet extraction study are inconclusive and do not allow for saying anything certain about how much natural preen oil was removed. Extraction results from cleaning with de-ionized water were more informative showing it removed very little of surface material from the feathers. The panel survey of the aesthetical appearance concluded that cleaning with IMS and de-ionized water gave the best results. Ethanol affected the feather structure the most.