A fine powder obtained from grinding grain products such as wheat, corn, rye and rice. Flour contains starch and gluten. It will form a thick, viscous paste with boiling water that, once dried, is strong and water-insoluble. Flour paste has been used historically mixed with oil or glue to form an inexpensive paint binder. Flour pastes may only be removed with the aid of enzymes and are susceptible to attack by micro-organisms, thus they are not in current use in conservation. Synonyms: flour paste. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2000). [J. Cassar, R. de Angelis]