Re: Non-nasal identification of 'off' gum arabic solution

[Ender100@aol.com]

Paul,

I am aware of Tea Tree Oil via my massage therapist, but she doesn't use it in massage oils.   I know it is STRONG and I wouldn't want to get it in my eye or anyother little nook or cranny!   But I am not surprised that it will do what you say.   I imagine a small amount would do it.   

Best Wishes,
Mark Nelson

Precision Digital Negatives - The System
PDNPrint Forum at Yahoo Groups
www.MarkINelsonPhoto.com





In a message dated 10/4/06 6:12:36 PM, Paul.Arcus@dsto.defence.gov.au writes:


> Some time ago I posted a thread about the use of tea tree oil as a
> preservative for gum arabic (GA) solution.
> As tea tree oil is easy to source I wanted to use it for preservation of
> GA solution mixed from powdered GA (because I cannot source formalin or
> thymol).
> Tea tree oil is also a natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial, non-irritant
> and soluble in alcohol so it may provide a good alternative.
>
> As I live in the tropics GA solution with no preservative stored at room
> temperature usually smells worse than cat excrement after about 10 days.
>
> It also goes cloudy and / or gains a nice crust of green mould.
>
> About 3 months ago I mixed up 50ml of 26% GA solution adding 1ml of 10%
> tea tree oil in alcohol. I also made a batch with no preservative.
> The non-preserved GA went bad after 11 days. It went yellowish, cloudy
> and stank like 7 pairs of old socks kept warm in a plastic bag. 
>
> To date the GA / tea tree oil solution appears a tiny bit cloudy but has
> no visible mould.
> The smell of tea tree oil is overpowering so I am unable to judge its
> efficacy by smell.
>
> I'm hoping soon to make some prints using the GA / tea tree solution.
> I would also make side-by-side comparison with non-preserved (fresh) GA
> solution.
>
> Elsewhere I've read that the properties of GA solution change with age
> (clearing, staining, etc).
> Noting these ageing effects and noting that I cannot judge it by smell
> how would I know if the solution is bad due to ageing / contamination or
> some other factor?