0000000001225665
AUTHOR
Ambra Giordano
Solunto archaeological park in Sicily: life under mosaic tesserae
Biodeterioration is a complex process induced by the growing and metabolic activity of a wide range of macro and microorganisms, becoming a revelling problem also for the mosaic tesserae of “Casa di Leda” in the Greco - Roman site of Solunto in Sicily. In this case-study, a thick biofilm inducing a deep alteration of mortar and consequently the mosaic tesserae detachment has been highlighted during the restoration plan. The biofilm microbial consortium has been investigated by an integrate approach based on Microscopy analysis (O.M., C.L.S.M.), in vitro culture (Nutrien and Saboraud media) and molecular biology investigation (DNA target sequence amplification, sequencing, sequence analysis)…
PLANT PRODUCTS TO CONTROL BIODETERIORATION OF CULTURAL ASSETS
Fungi and bacteria are known as major biodeteriogens of cultural heritage, able to colonize, altering anddegrading a wide range of materials, such as metals, paints, paper, paperboard, rocks, photos, textiles, leather, plastics, etc. (1, 2). The use of traditional chemical biocides, to control microbial growth on cultural assets, has become a serious threat to public health and environment. The aim of this study has been to develop biocompatible antimicrobial compounds testing on specific taxa, that were isolated from biodeteriorated artifacts (books, papers, stones, woods, canvases) or environmental aerosols (museums, archives, libraries) and characterized by microscopy, in vitro culture a…
Cold-active molecules for a sustainable preservation and restoration of historic-artistic manufacts
In the last decades biotechnology research provides sustainable alternatives to traditional procedures for preventive preservation of cultural assets. Recently, bioactive molecules (BMs) isolated from marine invertebrate organisms have been isolated and tested for bioremoval of protein layers (BMP) or to controlling microbial colonization (BMA), acting at temperature lower than 30°C. The Protease or Antimicrobial activity was tested on ad hoc assembled specimens and on different historic-artistic manufacts. In bio-removing protocol BMP molecules were applied as gelled solutions, in order to guarantees a selective action, respectful of constitutive materials and manufact integrity. Peculiari…
Blue Biotechnology and Cultural Heritage: case studies
In order to promote innovative methodologies for conservation and restoration of historic-artistic manufacts, the efforts are focalized on the development of “sustainable” applications as alternatives to traditional restoration procedures, which can sometimes be detrimental for the artworks, humans and environment [1]. The role of Biotechnology in this field showed very useful applications for diagnosis of bio-deterioration of cultural assets, by an integrated methodology based on molecular and microbiological skills, and in bio-cleaning / bio-removing of organic/inorganic layers from artwork surfaces by enzymes or viable bacteria cells [2, 3]. In this work, bioactive molecules isolated fro…
Biotechnology a Source of Knowledge in Agreement with Green Strategies for the Conservation of Cultural Assets
In this study, conservative strategies are applied in order to limit any irreversible damage and to characterize and quantify microbial colonization that may induce the deterioration of constitutive heritage materials; subsequently, suitable antimicrobial interventions are performed based on the use of biotechnology. This paper presents a summary of the basic and applied biotechnology research developed in the Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology for Cultural Heritage (LaBBCH, University of Palermo, Italy). It shows that biotechnology has an evidently important role in the preservation and restoration of cultural assets, also taking into consideration that “Prevention is better than cure…
Innovative and Integrated Strategies: Case Studies
In this chapter, case studies related to biodeterioration, bioaerosol, biocide and biocleaning are reported. The aim is highlighting the role of biology and biotechnology tools for the preventive conservation of organic and inorganic artifacts, understanding how traditional as well as innovative methods can help the conservationists to develop integrated strategies considering works of art/environment/ humans as a dynamic system. Particularly, based on the experience acquired during the researches of Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology for Cultural Heritage (LaBBCH), the authors suggest several approaches to reveal and identify biological systems able to induce biodeterioration of cultu…
MODERN TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONSERVATION OF VILLA ZITO PAINTINGS COLLECTION (PALERMO – SICILY)
In this study we describe the conservative integrated approach performed on 40 paintings, dating from different period (XVII- XX century), belonging to “Fondazione Sicilia “ and exposed in Villa Zito paint gallery in Palermo (Mazzocca 2015). Through a multidisciplinary approach both constitutive materials and state of conservation have been determined. Particularly, pigments and executive techniques were identified by non-invasive diagnostic investigation (XRF analysis, UV fluorescence acquisition, and IR Reflectography) as well as previous restorations events. The study has included the revealing of microbial colonization by using non-invasive sampling methods (Nylon membrane fragment) and…
Saggi sull’attività antimicrobica di molecole bioattive in interventi di foderatura di dipinti
In questo studio è stato valutato l’utilizzo di molecole antimicrobiche estratte da organismi marini invertebrati (Anthozoa), al fine di limitare o inibire la crescita microbica su materiali impiegati per il restauro di manufatti storico-artistici. I ceppi batterici e fungini utilizzati nei saggi antimicrobici, sono stati isolati da porzioni di tele, stratificate con colla, impiegate nella foderatura di dipinti. Mediante un approccio integrato che comprende tecniche di microscopia e tecniche molecolari, sono state identificate colonie batteriche appartenenti ai generi Enterobacter e Micrococcus e fungine appartenenti ai generi Aspergillus e Penicillium. L’attività antimicrobica delle moleco…