Abstract

Enzyme-based treatments are used in heritage conservation for the effective removal of glues and other damaging organic layers from the surfaces of historic and artisitc works. Despite their potential, however, the application of enzymatic treatments is currently limited due to their poor efficiency, and low operational and environmental stability. We demonstrate the use of α-amylase immobilized on gold nanoparticles to improve the efficacy of enzymatic treatments enchancing both the reactivity and the stability of the formulations. Gold nanoparticles coated with α-amylase exhibit significant advantages compared to free enzymes. We report up to 5-times greater resistance to environmental changes, up to 2-times higher efficacy towards removal of starch-based glues from textile, and deeper penetration through the fibres, without causing damage or inducing salt precipitation. These results offer exciting prospects for the development of novel enzymatic formulations, both for heritage conservation and the wider application of enzymes, such as in medicine, the detergent industry and green chemistry.