Re: 4 gums

Alex Nanson (alec@norlex.demon.co.uk)
Sun, 18 Aug 1996 23:37:50 +0100

In message <2.2.32.19960818213443.0068d5b0@mail.iag.net>, Sil Horwitz
<silh@iag.net> writes
>
>This is, of course, obvious - but if you're going to make a large quantity
>and store it, you will need to add a preservative as gum is a wonderful
>culture medium! You could, of course, pasteurize it and seal it in
>single-use containers (like the new preservative-free eye drops) which would
>not require addition of anything. Just a thought, open for discussion.
>

I use Phenol as a preservative for Gum, Gelatine, and Poly Vinyl Alcohol
solutions. It seems to work quite well. It is of course quite toxic, but
then any substance which will kill bacteria and moulds, will kill us as
well, if due care is not taken in handling it!

One author ( Paul L. Anderson, Handbook of Photograhpy, Henny & Dudley)
maintains that Phenol is unsatisfactory as a preservative for gum, and
suggests that either oil of cloves or mercuric chloride be used instead.

I cannot see why Phenol should be unsuitable for this purpose

Alex.
Alex Nanson
Gloucester UK