A Paulownia coreana Box for Storage of Annals of Joseon Dynasty: Its Efficacy and Functionality Evaluations of Temperature and Relative Humidity Control, and Microbe and Insect Repellent Activity

Abstract

Paulownia coreana has various advantages as a convenient workability, aesthetic outlook, beautiful patterns, low weight and high strength, and its permeability. P. coreana has been widely used for storage but there are no empirical researches proving its functionality in a field of conservation science until now. In this study, the seasonal and daily temperature and relative humidity control, and microbe and insect repellent activity were evaluated under the controlled and uncontrolled circumstances from 2015 to 2016. The results showed to be mainly excellent in relative humidity control and the buffering effect was good to adjust the average daily relative humidity range from the outside. With respect to the antimicrobial properties of P. coreana, we observed that its water-soluble extract produced visible zones of inhibition against five bacteria. However, it was difficult to predict the antimicrobial and/or insecticidal properties.

A Comparative Functionality Evaluation of Paulownia Wood Storage Boxes and Acid-free Archival Boxes to Store the Annals of Joseon Dynasty - Indoor and Outdoor Temperature and Relative Humidity Controls, and Heat Release Rate -

“…The results of Table 2 in this research and the previously published research were comprehensively interpreted to suggest the integrated storage management strategy for a long-term preservation of the cultural heritage (Park et al, 2020). Through the temperature and relative humidity control evaluation, it was proved that both paulownia wood storage box and acid-free archival box were effective in relative humidity control in an environment where the stable temperature and relative humidity conditions were not controlled.…”

“…Meanwhile, it can be judged that the paulownia wood storage box cannot prevent the biological deterioration when the pest comes and attempted to attack it. Water-soluble extract from the paulownia wood produced visible zones of inhibition again five bacteria but it was difficult to predict the antimicrobial and insecticidal properties (Park et al, 2020).…”

“…However, it could not prevent the Table 1. The result of the heat release rate for paulownia box and acid-free archival box biological deterioration when the pest attempted to attack it and also it was difficult to expect the any antibacterial effect as one of the storage items used in the field of storage management (Park et al, 2020). Following another published research, it coincides that the paulownia storage box material was not good enough for antimicrobial property despite its customary use (Chung et al, 2008).…”