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 and molecular analysis (3). Previously extracted (4) and new plant products, Tea Tree essential oil and Calamintha nepeta L., Allium sativum L., Crithmum maritimum, Ferula communis L., have been tested against Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus versicolor and Alternariaspp. The susceptibility of microbial strains to different natural compounds was tested by agar disc diffusion, well plate diffusion and microdilution methods. Our results evidenced the efficacy of same plant products, such as Tea Tree oil, Calamintha nepeta L., Allium sativum L. and Crithmum maritimum extracts, to control microbial growth, suggesting a potential application as natural biocides in cultural heritage field. Further studies are required to develop appropriate methods to apply products of botanical origin as valid alternatives in sustainable conservation of cultural heritage.