Almonds By-Product Microcrystalline Cellulose as Stucco for Wooden Artifacts

Abstract

Over the years in the field of conservation of cultural heritage, a wide use of traditional products for the plastic reintegration of wooden artifacts has been seen. However, they are usually not designed for this purpose. The present study also shows, in terms of material compatibility, the material most suited for wood restoration, cellulose pulp, from the perspective of a new green approach of reusing waste. Indeed, microcellulose was obtained by simple alkaline treatment from softwood almond shells. In particular, Prunus dulcis Miller (D.A.) Webb. was considered an agro-industrial waste largely available in southern Italy. To value the possibility of using this material in a circular economy framework, a microcellulosic material was used, by adding different binders, to manufacture several stuccos to utilize as wood consolidants. Successively, in order to obtain stuccos with biocidal properties against fungal colonization or insect infestation, to which wooden artifacts are often exposed, cellulose pulp was combined with the essential oil of Thymus capitaus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link., whose biological properties have been largely reported. The physical flexion properties of all new materials were tested.

Recent Innovations on the Reuse of Almond and Hazelnut By-Products: A Review

“…The same MCCs were employed on the basis of their micrometric dimensions, high mechanical strength, and being biodegradable powder in the preparation of stucco for wooden artifacts [65]. Three different stucco formulations were prepared by adding different binders (Aquazol 500, Klucel-c, and a mixture of both) to a cellulose pulp.…”

“…The results reveal how the mechanical properties of the stucco were improved by incorporating MCC and how its characteristics changed depending on the binder used (Aquazol 500 proves to be the best for the wood matrix). However, the effects of long-term durability under real conditions, as well as the effectiveness on other materials besides wood, were not investigated [65].…”

“…Figure 3.Almond by-products and innovative applications described in the literature for each fraction. Hull (animal feed[53][54][55], fortified food[56], molecules extraction[57][58][59][60], and materials[61]); shell (molecules extraction[58,62,63] and materials[64][65][66][67]); skin (molecules extraction[17,[68][69][70] and fortified food[71][72][73]); and oil cake (fortified food[74]). …”

Stealing from Phytotherapy—Heritage Conservation with Essential Oils: A Review, from Remedy to Sustainable Restoration Product

“…An atypical treatment for wood conservation deserves special mention: it has been shown that EOs (Thymus capitatus) can be incorporated into microcrystalline cellulose formulations based on almond-shell cellulose pulp to prepare stuccos with biocidal properties against fungal colonization and insect infestation [211].…”