PLANT EXTRACTS AS GREEN POTENTIAL STRATEGIES TO CONTROL THE BIODETERIORATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

The biodeterioration of historic-artistic manufacts is related to several biological systems, including fungi and bacteria, whose metabolic activities and vegetative development have a direct consequence on the conservation of cultural assets. Generally, different chemical compounds are utilized as biocides in order to control biodeteriogens growth, but recently the attention has been focused on potential risks of their use towards human health (operators, visitors) and the environment. In order to develop alternative methods, various natural products have been tested, particularly to control the colonization by fungi and bacteria. In this study, antimicrobial activity of three different pl…

Sorveglianza molecolare delle gastroenteriti da rotavirus in Sicilia

Non-invasive monitoring of microbial contamination on graphic collections preserved in museums, libraries and archives

Biological aerosol in indoor environments, such as museums, libraries and archives, can represent a hazard both for artworks, due to the presence of microorganisms, and for the health of operators and visitors, due to their potential infectious, allergenic or toxic effects. The detection of microbial colonization of air and surfaces, based on morphological and molecular analysis, is of fundamental importance for a correct preventive conservation and sustainable fruition. The results of the monitoring on both manufacts (prints, drawings), showing alterations potentially related to biological systems (foxing) and on furniture (metal cabinets, shelves, boxes) have been performed in the Central…

Plant extracts to control microbial growth: a “green” potential strategy

growth process and vegetative development have a direct consequence on the conservation of cultural assets. Recently, due to the use of many chemical compounds applied in biodeteriogens growth control, the attention has been focused on the risks resulting from these treatments that may affect human health (operators, visitors) and the environment. In order to develop alternative methods to traditional biocides, several studies have been focused to various natural products with potential antimicrobial activity, particularly against fungi and bacteria associated with the biodeterioration of cultural assets (Borrego et al., 2012; Sakr et al., 2012; Guiamet et al., 2008). In this study, antimic…