Biodeterioration of canvas paintings: microbial role and development of sustainable treatments for biocontrol.

ABSTRACT: Biodeterioration of paintings, caused by microorganisms interacting with the organic/inorganic compounds of the canvas, represents a serious problem for preserving cultural heritage. In our study, the microbial degradation caused on an eighteenth century painting "Sant'Anna, San Gioacchino e la Vergine Bambina" was investigated. Seventeen bacterial and six fungal strains on the altered parts of the canvas were identified, and their deteriorating ability were evaluated on two pictorial pigments: the yellow ochre and the ivory black. We recognized that microorganisms interacted with these pigments and modified their chromatic features. Furthermore, we adopted an eco-friendly antimicrobial treatment based on natural plant extracts (thymus, rosemary, and garlic) as an alternative to convention

SUBMITTER: Climaco G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12350447 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature