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Isola D, Lee HJ, Chung YJ, Zucconi L, Pelosi C. Once upon a Time, There Was a Piece of Wood: Present Knowledge and Future Perspectives in Fungal Deterioration of Wooden Cultural Heritage in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Diagnostic Tools. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:366. [PMID: 38786721 PMCID: PMC11122135 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Wooden Cultural Heritage (WCH) represents a significant portion of the world's historical and artistic heritage, consisting of immovable and movable artefacts. Despite the expertise developed since ancient times to enhance its durability, wooden artefacts are inevitably prone to degradation. Fungi play a pivotal role in the deterioration of WCH in terrestrial ecosystems, accelerating its decay and leading to alterations in color and strength. Reviewing the literature of the last 25 years, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of fungal diversity affecting WCH, the biochemical processes involved in wood decay, and the diagnostic tools available for fungal identification and damage evaluation. Climatic conditions influence the occurrence of fungal species in threatened WCH, characterized by a prevalence of wood-rot fungi (e.g., Serpula lacrymans, Coniophora puteana) in architectural heritage in temperate and continental climates and Ascomycota in indoor and harsh environments. More efforts are needed to address the knowledge fragmentation concerning biodiversity, the biology of the fungi involved, and succession in the degradative process, which is frequently centered solely on the main actors. Multidisciplinary collaboration among engineers, restorers, and life sciences scientists is vital for tackling the challenges posed by climate change with increased awareness. Traditional microbiology and culture collections are fundamental in laying solid foundations for a more comprehensive interpretation of big data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Isola
- Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università Snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Hyun-Ju Lee
- Institute of Preventive Conservation for Cultural Heritage, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, Buyeo 33115, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yong-Jae Chung
- Department of Heritage Conservation and Restoration, Graduate School of Cultural Heritage, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, Buyeo 33115, Republic of Korea;
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università Snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Claudia Pelosi
- Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università Snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
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Ventorino V, La Storia A, Robertiello A, Corsi S, Romano I, Sannino L, Pepe O. Fungal Biodeterioration and Preservation of Miniature Artworks. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1054. [PMID: 37998860 PMCID: PMC10672278 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of biodeterioration is an important issue to allow the best conservation and prevent the decay of cultural heritage and artworks. In Naples (Italy), a particular museum (Museodivino) preserves the miniature artworks representing Dante's Divine Comedy and Nativity scenes, executed with organic-based materials in walnut and clay shells. Since they showed putative signs of biodeterioration, the first aim of this study was to verify the presence of microbial colonization. A culture-dependent approach and molecular biology allowed us to isolate and identify the sole fungal strain Aspergillus NCCD (Nativity and Dante's Divine Comedy) belonging to the A. sydowii sub-clade. Based on this result, a sustainable and eco-friendly approach was applied to find a method to preserve the miniature artwork by contrasting the growth of the strain NCCD. Several essential oils used as a natural biocide were tested against Aspergillus strain NCCD belonging to the A. sydowii subclade to determine their potential antimicrobial activity. Results revealed that basil, cloves, fennel, and thyme essential oils exerted antifungal activity, although their effect depended also on the concentration used. Moreover, anoxic treatment and the control of the relative humidity were used in the presence of thyme, in vitro, and in vivo assays to define the impact on fungal growth. No fungal development was detected in vivo in the shells treated with thyme essential oil at high relative humidity after 60 days of incubation at 28 °C. These results highlighted that although relative humidity was the major factor affecting the development of the strain Aspergillus NDDC, the application of thyme in an anaerobic environment is essential in contrasting the fungal growth. Identifying the biodeterioration agent allowed us to plan an eco-friendly, non-destructive approach to be successfully used to guarantee the conditions suitable for conserving miniature artwork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Ventorino
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Division of Microbiology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.V.); (A.L.S.); (A.R.); (I.R.)
| | - Antonietta La Storia
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Division of Microbiology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.V.); (A.L.S.); (A.R.); (I.R.)
| | - Alessandro Robertiello
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Division of Microbiology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.V.); (A.L.S.); (A.R.); (I.R.)
| | | | - Ida Romano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Division of Microbiology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.V.); (A.L.S.); (A.R.); (I.R.)
| | - Luigi Sannino
- SIB Società Italiana di Biotecnologie, 80055 Naples, Italy;
| | - Olimpia Pepe
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Division of Microbiology, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy; (V.V.); (A.L.S.); (A.R.); (I.R.)
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Palla F, Bucchini AEA, Giamperi L, Marino P, Raimondo FM. Plant Extracts as Antimicrobial Agents in Sustainable Conservation of Erythrina caffra (Fabaceae) Historical Trees. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1098. [PMID: 37508194 PMCID: PMC10376849 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12071098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial colonization plays a relevant role in the biodegradation and biodeterioration of cultural and natural heritage, representing a revealing problem in conservation strategy. In this study, the essential oil (EO) and hydro-alcoholic extract (HAE) of Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), an aromatic perennial plant, representative of the Mediterranean basin, growing spontaneously and cultivated all over the world, were analysed. Natural products, such as essential oil and hydro-alcoholic extract, have strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties and are ad hoc applied for the sustainable conservation of Erithryna caffra (Fabaceae). The main taxa revealed in the damaging of these arboreal heritage, are Bacillus sp., Streptomyces sp. and Terribacillus sp. (as bacteria), Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp. and Chaetomium sp. (as fungi). GS-MS analysis identified carvacrol, thymol and their biosynthetic precursors γ-terpinene and p-cymene, as main components, and the antimicrobial efficiency assayed by in vitro methods (Agar Dish Diffusion, Well Plate Diffusion). In this study, by combining the application/exposure of both HAE and EO, the bacterial and fungal colonies development has been in vitro countered. The results confirm the possible use of plant products as a valid alternative to the traditional synthetic chemical biocides, with full respect to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Palla
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies/Section of Botany, Anthropology and Zoology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 38, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anahì E A Bucchini
- Botanical Garden, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Via Bramante 28, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- PLANTA/Center for Research, Documentation, and Training, Via Serraglio Vecchio 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Giamperi
- Botanical Garden, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Via Bramante 28, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- PLANTA/Center for Research, Documentation, and Training, Via Serraglio Vecchio 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Pasquale Marino
- PLANTA/Center for Research, Documentation, and Training, Via Serraglio Vecchio 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco M Raimondo
- PLANTA/Center for Research, Documentation, and Training, Via Serraglio Vecchio 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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Geweely NS. New frontiers review of some recent conservation techniques of organic and inorganic archaeological artefacts against microbial deterioration. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1146582. [PMID: 37007519 PMCID: PMC10060858 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1146582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The information on the advances and technology of some recent conservation methods (2020–2023) of organic and inorganic archaeological objects against microbial deterioration is recorded. An outline of comparative new protective methods for conserving plant-origin organic artefacts {Fibers (manuscripts, textile) and wood}, animal-origin organic artefacts (painting, parchment and mummies) and inorganic stone artefacts were investigated. The work not only contributes to the development of safe revolutionary ways for more efficient safe conservation of items of historical and cultural worth but also serves as a significant diagnostic signature for detecting the sorts of microbial identification and incidents in antiques. Biological technologies (environmentally friendly green biocides) are the most used recent, efficient and safe strategy acceptable as alternatives to stop microbial deterioration and prevent any potential interactions between the biological agent and the artefacts. Also, a synergistic effect of combining natural biocides with mechanical cleaning or chemical treatments was suggested. The recommended exploration techniques should be considered for future applications.
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Eco-Friendly Solution Based on Rosmarinus officinalis Hydro-Alcoholic Extract to Prevent Biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage Objects and Buildings. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911463. [PMID: 36232763 PMCID: PMC9569761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodeterioration of cultural heritage is caused by different organisms capable of inducing complex alteration processes. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Rosmarinus officinalis hydro-alcoholic extract to inhibit the growth of deteriogenic microbial strains. For this, the physico-chemical characterization of the vegetal extract by UHPLC–MS/MS, its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity on a representative number of biodeteriogenic microbial strains, as well as the antioxidant activity determined by DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP, TEAC methods, were performed. The extract had a total phenol content of 15.62 ± 0.97 mg GAE/mL of which approximately 8.53% were flavonoids. The polyphenolic profile included carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid and hesperidin as major components. The extract exhibited good and wide spectrum antimicrobial activity, with low MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values against fungal strains such as Aspergillus clavatus (MIC = 1.2 mg/mL) and bacterial strains such as Arthrobacter globiformis (MIC = 0.78 mg/mL) or Bacillus cereus (MIC = 1.56 mg/mL). The rosemary extract inhibited the adherence capacity to the inert substrate of Penicillium chrysogenum strains isolated from wooden objects or textiles and B. thuringiensis strains. A potential mechanism of R. officinalis antimicrobial activity could be represented by the release of nitric oxide (NO), a universal signalling molecule for stress management. Moreover, the treatment of microbial cultures with subinhibitory concentrations has modulated the production of microbial enzymes and organic acids involved in biodeterioration, with the effect depending on the studied microbial strain, isolation source and the tested soluble factor. This paper reports for the first time the potential of R. officinalis hydro-alcoholic extract for the development of eco-friendly solutions dedicated to the conservation/safeguarding of tangible cultural heritage.
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Editorial for the Special Issue “Microbial Communities in Cultural Heritage and Their Control”. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112311411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
This editorial focuses on the studies published within the present Special Issue presenting advances in the field of biodeterioration of cultural heritage caused by microbial communities with a particular focus on new methods for their elimination and control.
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