0000000000609243
AUTHOR
L. Sannino
Characterization in the archaeological excavation site of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi of deteriorated wall painting of Herculaneum in Italy
Microbiological characterization of frescos in four different locations (Collegio degli Augustali, Casa del Colonnato Tuscanico, Casa dello Scheletro and Casa del Gran Portale) of excavation sites of Herculaneum was carried out. The use of infrared thermography allowed detecting sample points on frescos with greatest moisture not visible to the naked eye, resulting in structural damage. The microclimatic conditions provided perfect habitat for bacteria and fungi, particularly of spore forming and mould. In fact, heterotrophic bacteria were prevalent in all wall paintings monitored (ranging from 18 +/- 2 CFU 100 cm(-2) to 68 +/- 4 CFU 100 cm(-2)), whereas fungi were also detected but at lowe…
Heterotrophic microorganisms in deteriorated medieval wall paintings in southern Italian churches
The Campania region in southern Italy is noted for its large number of churches that harbour invaluable frescoes, dated from the beginnings of the 4th up to the 13th century. The wall paintings represent an integral part of the monuments, and their deterioration constitutes a potentially significant loss for the world's cultural heritage. Heterotrophic microorganisms such as bacteria and mould can grow on the surface of paintings that contain a wide range of organic and inorganic constituents, and provide different ecological. niches that are exploited by a large variety of microbial. species. We isolated and identified the heterotrophic microorganisms found in the biodegraded medieval wall…