Re: REPOST: Alternative gum preservatives: tea tree, eucalyptus oils

I don't think anyone has tried these, Paul, so why don't you be the first?
At least, that is why i never answered the post.

Try a drop of tea tree oil in a tablespoon of gum and see if the gum layer
brushes out oily or whatever. If it does, it'll fish eye on you, where it
breaks apart into spots. That way, if the stuff is unsuitable, you will
only waste a tablespoon of gum.

If, in fact, tea tree oil is suitable, that'd be sooo great because it would
be easy to get at the health food store I would imagine.

But thymol works great.
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Arcus, Paul" <Paul.Arcus@dsto.defence.gov.au>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>; <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 5:37 PM
Subject: REPOST: Alternative gum preservatives: tea tree, eucalyptus oils

> Hi,
> Can anyone advise if either eucalyptus or tea tree oils are suitable for
> preserving gum?
> Has anyone tried naturally occurring oils such as these?
>
> They both have antiseptic & antibacterial properties.
> As natural organic sources are available they suit my ethical concerns.
>
> I intend to try dissolving them with alcohol and adding to prepared gum
> (as per Sam Wang's use of thymol).
> Note that I am unable to source Thymol or formalin and I don't want to
> use bought gum.
>
> Thanks,
> PAUL ARCUS
>
>
>
Received on Thu Apr 6 18:10:59 2006