albumenized

Albumenized refers to something that has been treated with albumen, the protein found in egg whites. This process was historically important in various fields, particularly photography and printing.

In early photography, albumen was used as a binder for light-sensitive silver salts on paper, creating what was known as albumen prints. This technique produced glossy, durable images with rich tones and was the dominant photographic printing process for much of the late 19th century. The albumen layer helped to keep the silver halide crystals suspended and provided a smooth surface for the image.

Beyond photography, albumen has also been used in other applications. It was sometimes employed as a clarifying agent in winemaking, helping to remove suspended particles and improve the clarity of the beverage. In printing, albumen coatings were used on paper to create a smoother surface, which could lead to sharper and more detailed printed images. The use of albumenized materials has largely been superseded by more modern and often more effective alternatives.