Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry characterization of the varnish and glue of an ancient 18th century double bass

A GC–MS investigation is conducted on the double bass “Panormus”, property of Conservatorio di Musica “Vincenzo Bellini” in Palermo. The most important components of the varnish (fatty acids) and of the glue (proteinaceous amino acids), with which the musical instrument was treated in the past, are determined. The analyses are carried out by prior derivatization of fatty acids by acidic methanol and of amino acids by acidic methanol and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA). Analytes identification is achieved by direct comparison with several reference materials and the use of a digitized library.