Capillary electrophoresis with UV/visible diode-array detection (DAD) and electrospray mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) detection were used for the identification of anthraquinone color components of cochineal, lac-dye and madder, natural red dyestuffs often used by ancient painters. For the purpose of such analysis, ESI-MS was found to be a much more appropriate detection technique than DAD one owing to its higher sensitivity (detection limits in the range 0.1-0.5 micro g ml(-1)) and selectivity. The method developed made it possible to identify unequivocally carminic acid and laccaic acids A, B and E as coloring matters in the examined preparations of cochineal and lac-dye, respectively. In madder, European Rubia tinctorum, alizarin and purpurin were found. The method allows the rapid, direct and straightforward identification and quantification of components of natural products used in art and could be very helpful in restoration and conservation procedures.

Identification of anthraquinone coloring matters in natural red dyestuffs by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and electrospray mass spectrometric detectionReversed phase liquid chromatography with diode array detection (DAD) and electrospray mass spectrometric (ESI MSD) methods were developed for the identification of anthraquinone color components of cochineal, lac dye, and madder -red natural dyestuffs. Electrospray mass spectrometry was found to be more suitable than diode array detection for such analysis because of its higher sensitivity (detection limits in the range 30 -90 ng mL -1 ) and selectivity. The developed method permitted unequivocal identification of carminic acid and laccaic acid A as coloring matters in examined preparations of cochineal and lac dye, respectively. In madder more chemical color species were found: alizarin, purpurin, lucidin, ruberythric acid, and also aluminum and calcium alizarin lake. Among the methods recommended so far, the present one allows fast, direct, and unequivocal identification of components of very complicated natural products used in art.

Old master paintings -A fruitful field of activity for analysts: Targets, methods, outlook Natural products used by ancient artists as components of paintings on canvas and wood, on sculptures, for murals or illuminated manuscripts are presented as potential analytical targets. Analytical methods recommended so far for the identification of binders, inorganic pigments, and organic dyestuffs are reviewed with special emphasis on hyphenated techniques.

Abstract-The potential use of Acacia tortilies seeds as a new green chemistry adsorbent to reduce cadmium cations from water was evaluated through batch experiments. The Acacia tortilies seeds were characterized by determination of solubility in water and determination of surface area and pore volume as well as determination of cellulose content. The important parameters which affect the adsorption process, such as initial pH, contact time and contact temperatures were studied. The maximum adsorption capacity occurs at pH 3.4 after 2 hours. Two isotherm models include Langmuir and Freundlich were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained were 706, 807and 1004 mg/g at 293, 303 and 323 K, respectively. Experimental data were also performed to the first-order, pseudo-second order and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models. The results indicated that the adsorption of cadmium cations onto Acacia tortilies seeds followed well second-order kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters,  Gº ,  Hº and  Sº indicated the cadmium cations sorption to be endothermic and spontaneous with increase randomness at solid-solution interface. The adsorption mechanism of cadmium cations onto Acacia tortilies seeds was interpreted. A comparison between adsorption capacity of Acacia tortilies seeds and adsorption capacities of other low cost adsorbents were presented. It was found that, the adsorption capacity of Acacia tortilies seeds was higher than the adsorption capacities of all other low cost adsorbents indicated in this research.