>The ... collection has...freeze-dried strawberries...and a box of ...
>dried prunes.
>Should we keep both items indefinitely refrigerated or even frozen? ....
>and too many volunteers/docents/staff members use the regular
>refrigerator, [and may not know] the difference between yesterday's
>leftover food and an artifact.

Sabine:

         Storing the objects in a controlled atmosphere would likely delay
significant changes in these organic artifacts. This can be achieved by
packaging the objects in a sealed flexible plastic envelope with the
correct oxygen absorbers.  Escal transparent barrier film and Mitusbishi
Gas Chemical's RP oxygen absorbers could provide this kind of microclimate.
I would think that RP K type, which absorbs the oxygen without changing the
humidity in the envelope would be your best bet. RP A type will reduce the
humidity to extremely low levels, and is more suited for metals storage.

         Care should be taken when freezing to ensure that the materials do
not dry out (not to speak of changes that may happen in the freezing and
thawing processes). A regular polyethylene envelope is too poor a moisture
barrier to use- you will need a proper barrier film envelope.

         With, or without refrigeration, this kind of storage would provide
many other benefits (eg. keeping  individual strawberries from going lost,
protection from contamination, protection from refrigeration failure, etc),
but foremost amongst them might be the prevention of accidental ingestion
of this artifact by hungry volunteers/docents/staff members. (I trust your
liability insurance is paid in full.)

         More information may be found on our website: keepsafe.ca

ps I will be in the Washington area on October 12, and would be happy to
discuss anoxic packaging and materials with any interested parties. I will
also be demonstrating at a workshop at the Jefferson Patterson Park and
Museum for a workshop on October 11, and hope to demonstrate once more at
Colonial Williamsburg on Saturday October 14 (if I can arrange this).

js

Jerry Shiner
Keepsafe Systems
Microclimate and Oxygen-free storage supplies and solutions
www.keepsafe.ca
toll-free 800 683-4696  fax: (416) 703-5991

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