Characterization of proteins in cultural heritage using MALDI–TOF and LC–MS/MS mass spectrometric techniques

Abstract

Abstract Identification of proteinaceous materials in artworks is of high interest to restorers-conservators, art historians and archaeologists, because it helps to shed light on the used painting techniques, to attribute unknown artworks, to make conclusions on prehistoric diets, etc. The chapter is devoted to the mass spectrometry instrumentation, evaluation of obtained data and it is showing several examples of the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–quadrupole–time-of-flight mass spectrometers on cultural heritage samples.