article · npj Heritage Science
Abstract Papyrus manuscripts undergo oxidation, which causes the papyrus to become brittle. Exposure to oxygen in improper conditions (temperature, humidity, light, pollutants, etc.) is the factor that triggers this mechanism. This study explores the antioxidant properties of camphor and lavender essential oils to protect papyrus from oxidation, aiming to develop natural preservation methods for historical manuscripts. A preliminary laboratory study was conducted to determine the best concentration of oils to be used. The study involved evaluating the effects of light and thermal aging on new papyrus samples treated with camphor and lavender oils at a concentration of 0.5%. Analytical techniques, including pH measurement, color change, Fourier-transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, were used for the evaluation process. The results showed that both oils enhanced the studied properties of the papyrus samples. Camphor oil showed better results compared to lavender oil.
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DOI: 10.1038/s40494-025-02008-y
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