Abstract: “n this study some historical silk textiles were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The main aim of our research was to investigate conformational changes of silk protein, fibroin, caused by ageing depending on environmental conditions. Silk textiles obtained from the wall decorations of an Ottoman Kiosk (Istanbul-Turkey) and some excavated silk textile specimens obtained from Ancient Ainos excavations were investigated in comparison with those of new and 100 years old Bombyx mori silk specimens. It was found that structural transformations from β-sheet domain to β-turn and random coil conformations occur due to degradation. It was shown that IR spectroscopy provides a quantification of degradation of silk objects”

Keywords: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, Fibroin, historical textile