Assessment of damage in old parchments by DSC and SEM

Environmental impact on parchment was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Parchments subjected to accelerated ageing and old parchments were compared to evaluate quality and extent of deterioration. Stability of fibrillar collagen within parchment was determined from the changes in thermodynamic parameters associated with thermal denaturation. Parchment surface was characterised, and specific morphological criteria were selected for damage assessment. The thermodynamic and morphological changes of collagen induced by deterioration are discussed, and their correlations are proposed as a means of ranking damage in old parchments.