BIO-PULITURA: PROTEASI DA ORGANISMI MARINI.

Investigation of biocenosis in a archaeological rock-cut settlements with relevant historic-artistic evidences. A case study in South-east of Sicily.

UN CIMITERO RUPESTRE DI EPOCA TARDOANTICA IN SICILIA: STUDIO INTERDISCIPLINARE DELL’AMBIENTE E DEI REPERTI ARCHEOLOGICI.

Preliminary studies on red palm weevil as potential risk for palm trees in mediterranean basin

The impacts of insect invasive species on human health and on agricutlture have attracted worldwide attention. However, researchers and policymakers rarely directly address the connection between invasive species and loss in natual and cultural heritages. Various attempts have been made to address the plants that are affected by invasive species but the links between these and loss in naturla biodiversity and heritage in botanical and historical gardens are largely lacking in the literature. We report a study on the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorous ferrugineus (Oliv.) (Fig. 1) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) which is the most important pest of the palm date trees in many countries. RPW is …

BIOAEROSOL IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS FOR CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: POTENTIAL RISKS FOR HISTORICAL-ARTISTIC MANIFACTS ANO HUMAN HEALTH

An integrated approach was applied for the characterization of the biological airborne particulate in four Sicilian sites with peculiar structure, thermo-hygrometric and lighting parameters. We focalized the attention on: ,) Crypt in the Cathedral Treasury Museum (Palermo), an underground environment (lithic and stone artifact), daily visited by tourist and characterized by a reduced indoor-outdoor exchange; it) the Saints Cave in Licodia Eubea (Catania), a semi-confined environment (fresco), strongly influenced by the surrounding countryside and by a continuous airflow; iit) the Diocesan Historic Archive in Palermo, (documentary funds, IX-XXsec.), characterized by low air change rate and r…

Microscopy and Molecular biology techniques for the study biocenosis diversity in semi-confined environments

This study is part of a wider conservation project of artistic and anthropological finds located in the Grotto of the Saints (Licodia Eubea, Alia, Sicily), and represents an opportunity for investigating the micro-and macro biological systems colonizing this particular environment. It is well-known that the bio-receptivity of surfaces is strongly related to its constituent materials and environmental parameters, whose effects promote the establishment of specific biotic communities. This is particularly true for caves, hypogea and semi-confined environments and, in particular for the Grotto of the Saints, where besides the presence of different nutrient sources, there are also high humidity…

Molecular approach for the characterization of ancient /degraded Cyperus sp.specimens

The aim of this work has been to apply and improve the efficiency of molecular tools for the identification of Cyperus sp. from difTerent sources. Total DNA was extracted from fresh, degraded and ancient specimens. DNA molecules were the template for in vitro amplification of specific target regions referred to rcbL plastid gene (ribulose-l,5 -biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit). Dedicated DNA extraction and amplification protocols have been applied specifically for fresh/degraded and ancient samples. Particularly, specific set of primer, annealing temperatures and reaction mixtures have been performed. The PCR products, single DNA fragments, were resolved on agarose gel electr…

Caratterizzazione della biodiversità della grotta dei santi a Licodia Eubea (Catania, Sicilia)

Il complesso rupestre, di cui fa parte la Grotta dei Santi, si sviluppa su due terrazzamenti nel territorio di Licodia Eubea, in Contrada Alia. Le testimonianze archeologiche e documentarie lasciano ipotizzare che il sito abbia subito, a partire dalla tarda antichità, varie frequentazioni. Rivestì un’importante ruolo sociale e religioso, fino almeno al XV secolo, quando fu completamente abbandonato, per essere riscoperto solo durante il secolo scorso. La denominazione della Grotta, è riconducibile alla presenza di tracce di pannelli raffiguranti una teoria di Santi, la quale doveva ornare le pareti dell’antro rivolto a nord-est, destinato in epoca paleocristiana alla sepoltura di importanti…

Impoverishment of Sicilian (Italy) historical and cultural assets by an alien insect species:the case study of the Real Palm Weevil

Microorganisms and insects have a disastrous impact on the biodiversity, cultural heritage and economy of a geographic area. However, in recent decades, the negative effects of invasive alien species (IAS), including both animal and plant or microorganisms occurring outside their natural distribution range, are generally not well known. Invasive alien species are most often found in or near urban areas, as well as throughout the settled landscape. According to the World Conservation Union, IUCN 2012, IAS represent the second most significant threat to biodiversity after resource depletion of habitats, becoming predators, competitors, parasites, hybridizers and diseases for native plants and…

CARATTERIZZAZIONE MOLECOLARE DI BATTERI IN REPERTI LIGNEI SOMMERSI

The focus of this study was the identification of bacterial colonies in waterlogged wood fragments from the rostrum of a excellent workmanship, that is very likely one of the wrecks attributed to Sextus Pompey fleet (36 BC) and discovered in Acqualadroni, Messina, Sicily, Italy (2008). The wood samples were analyzed by light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), in vitro culture and molecular technique (DNA base techniques). The results, focused on bacterial consortia, allowed us to reveal the presence of Pseudomonas sp., Sphingomonas sp., Xanthomonas sp. besides Marinobacter sp. and Desulforudis audaxviator. A prompt and accurate characterization of bacterial colonization represents one …

BIOACTIVE MOLECULES FROM MARINE INVERTEBRATE ORGANISMS AS POTENTIAL TOOLS IN RESTORATION PROCEDURES

In the last decades molecular biology has provided innovative approaches in order to set up specific protocols for the conservation and restoration of cultural assets. In this study, which falls within the so called field of Blue-biotechnology, new bio-reactive peptides isolated from marine invertebrate organisrns (Cnidaria and Molluscs) were tested aim to bio-cleaning (proteolytic- peptides) the surfaces or to control (antimicrobial-peptides) the colonization of historic-artistic manufacts by fungi or bacteria. Particularly, the proteolytic-peptides showed hydrolytic activity, specific for animal-glue, in a range of temperatures of 4-37°C; than acting without heating the surface, by a cont…

Removal of old protein layers from surfaces of works of art by new enzymes

The aim of the present project is to set up bio-cleaning protocols in order to easily remove altered protein layers (e.g. animal glues) by enzymatic proteins (proteases). Protein molecules were isolated from marine invertebrate organisms, characterized by size exclusion highpressure liquid chromatography (Waters: SEC-HPLC, BioSuite 250 to 10㎛ SEC 7.5 x 300 mm) and their gelatinase activity analyzed by zymography on polyacrilamide gel. The remarkably proteolytic activity and the reaction temperature range of these enzymes, 4° to 37℃, made it possible to hypothesize their use in bioremediation projects. Tests were performed on protein coating found on some polychrome wooden artifacts exposed …

Bioaerosol in ambienti adibiti alla esposizione e alla conservazione di manufatti storico-artistici

Integrated methodologies were applied for the characterization of the airborne particulate inside three different sites with peculiar environmental parameters. The Saints Cave in Licodia Eubea (Catania, Sicily), a semi-confined environment, where biological airborne particulate is strongly influenced both by surrounding countryside and by continuous air flow. The Diocesan Historic Archive in Palermo, where important documentary funds (IX-XX sec.) are stored, characterized by an indoor-outdoor exchange related to its use. The Sibilla Antrum (Marsala, Trapani) a hypogeal environment, where airborne particulate can be introduced and moved by visitors or sometimes related to the presence of pes…