Search results for "Biocide"
showing 10 items of 49 documents
The application protocol impacts the effectiveness of biocides against lichens
2020
Abstract This work analyzed the influence of different application protocols on the efficacy of two biocides against the foliose lichen Xanthoparmelia tinctina on the sandstones of the Roman Archaeological site of Luni (Italy). The hypotheses that (a) biocide application tools (brush vs. poultice), (b) pre-treatment hydration, and (c) post-treatment washing may affect devitalization success were verified by monitoring chlorophyll a fluorescence of thalli, both in situ and in laboratory conditions. The hypothesis that (d) stone substrate may act as reservoir for later biocide release under repeated cycles of wetting and drying was also assayed. Analyses confirmed the importance of the applic…
Species- and site-specific efficacy of commercial biocides and application solvents against lichens
2017
Abstract Control of lichens on stone cultural heritage is mostly achieved by a combination of mechanical removal with biocide applications. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence on the efficacy of different biocides on different species, and on the consistency of biocide effects on heritage sites in different environmental conditions. This results in some uncertainty when conservation interventions to control lichens are routinely defined on the basis of restoration tradition or empirical evaluation, without experimental measures of how lichens respond. In this work, we quantitatively evaluated (a) the efficacy of five commercially-available biocides, applied using a brush or with…
Comparison of biocides, allelopathic substances and UV-C as treatments for biofilm proliferation on heritage monuments
2018
Abstract UV-C and biocide treatments are frequently used to treat historical monuments contaminated by autotrophic biofilms. In this study, the authors compare for the first time the efficacy of these treatments against microorganisms such as cyanobacteria and algae proliferating in the Vicherey church (Vicherey, Vosges Department, France). To identify the most environmentally friendly and also efficient method, an allelopathic treatment was also tested. Colorimetric and physiological measurements of treated biofilms were thus monitored for 6 months. Fungi growing on necrotic matter from treated biofilms were sampled and sequenced. With biocides, results showed incomplete eradication of bio…
Biotechnology a Source of Knowledge in Agreement with Green Strategies for the Conservation of Cultural Assets
2019
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…
The requirement for the inclusion of formulation efficacy trials in pesticide preregistration evaluations
2008
BACKGROUND: Optimization of biocide use could serve to reduce the risks of biocides on human health. To optimize the risk/benefit ratio, it is important to develop procedures for evaluating the efficacy of biocide formulations. The authors examined the effectiveness of ten pyrethroid insecticide aerosol formulations registered for the household control of flies. Tests were performed using adult Musca domestica L. Knockdown effects and mortality were measured in a test chamber using the manufacturer's recommended discharge time. RESULTS: The knockdown effect varied greatly between aerosols of similar composition. The knockdown 15 min post-treatment was 66–98% for flies placed 120 cm above fl…
Acute hazard of biocides for the aquatic environmental compartment from a life-cycle perspective
2019
One of the aims of the European project LIFE-COMBASE is to build a computational tool to predict the acute toxicity for aquatic organisms of biocidal active substances and its environmental degradation products. A database was implemented compiling toxicity data for these substances in organisms of the freshwater/marine and sewage treatment plant compartments. The goal of this study is to analyze the compiled data to identify the possible hazard of these compounds for the aquatic compartments. Several official and scientific databases were consulted. Data from 196 biocidal substances and 206 environmental metabolites were collected for the taxonomic groups, including fish, invertebrates, al…
Marine organisms as source of bioactive molecules applied in restoration projects
2015
Abstract In recent decades research in the conservation and restoration field has provided sustainable alternatives to traditional procedures for cleaning or controlling the microbial colonization of works of art. In the present study, for the first time novel bioactive molecules extracted from marine invertebrate organisms (Anthozoa) were tested instead of chemical compounds for removing protein layers or as a biocide for controlling fungal or bacterial colonization. In particular, Bioactive Molecules with Protease activity (BMP), acting in a temperature range of 4- 30°C, were tested for the hydrolysis of protein layers on laboratory specimens. The cleaning protocol provides a selective pr…
La valorizzazione della flora spontanea attraverso lo studio di nuovi biopesticidi: Artemisia arborescens L.
2013
A seguito del loro processo evolutivo, numerose specie vegetali hanno orientato il loro metabolismo secondario verso la produzione di molecole complesse, dotate in molti casi di un’evidente funzione protettiva nei confronti delle avversità (insetti, funghi, virus, ma anche altre piante in competizione). Lo studio e la valorizzazione di queste molecole, da utilizzare nell’ambito delle tecniche di difesa sostenibile ed integrata con l’obiettivo di ottenere una riduzione dell’impiego di prodotti sintetici ad elevato impatto ambientale, costituiscono oggi una tematica di ricerca di grande interesse. All’interno della flora spontanea mediterranea, molto rappresentata è Artemisia arborescens L., …
Essential Oils as Natural Biocides in Conservation of Cultural Heritage
2020
Essential oils (EOs) have been known for a long time, and they are used in several fields such as medicine and aromatherapy, as well as in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In the last decade, EOs have also been applied to contrast the biodeterioration of cultural heritage, representing a powerful resource in green conservation strategies. In this study, an integrated approach based on microscopic observation, in vitro culture, and molecular investigation was preliminarily employed to identify biological systems colonizing wooden artworks. In order to contrast the biodeterioration processes induced by fungal colonization (Aspergillus flavus) or insect infestation (Anobium punctatum), …
Development of controlled release systems of biocides for the conservation of cultural heritage
2017
Abstract The presence of microorganisms is one of the main causes of monument deterioration. Biocides are usually applied after or before restoration in order to prevent or slow down microbial growth. Frequent applications are necessary leading to increased costs and high risks to humans and the environment. The aim of this study is the design of novel controlled release systems comprising a biocide loaded into a mesoporous silica. Pristine MCM41 as well as MCM41 functionalised with carboxy- (MCM41-COOH) and amino-groups (MCM41-NH2) were used. Biotin T and New Des 50, two commercial formulations, were chosen as biocides. The biocide encapsulation was performed adding the mesoporous silica t…