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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Microorganisms and Cultural Heritage: From Deterioration to Preservation Protocols
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Microorganisms and Cultural Heritage: From Deterioration to Preservation Protocols

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 10647

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniela Isola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: applied mycology; biodeterioration; biodegradation; biocides; cultural heritage low-impact cleaning methods; environmental microbiology; fungal diversity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Teresa Rinaldi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology and Biotechnology, “Charles Darwin” Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: biomineralization; calcium carbonate; hypogeal environment; microbial community; ancient books; biodeterioration; carbonatogenic bacteria

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over human history, different materials have been used to build cities and means of transport, decorate houses and temples, take note of events, and create everyday tools, and new materials will also be developed in the future. Even human and animal remains are a testimony of the habits and customs of a population fixed in time and space, and for this reason, they deserve to be preserved for future generations.

In recent decades, considerable attention has been paid to the biological deterioration of historical and artistic artefacts. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the biodiversity of the microorganisms involved remains partial, considering the wide range of materials used and the microclimatic conditions to which they are subjected. Knowledge of microbial biodiversity and its metabolic and ecological profile, such as the environmental conditions favoring various taxonomic groups, is essential in assessing the risks for artefacts and designing indirect (preventive) and direct (biocide treatments) control methods. Despite this, microorganisms can also work as a tool for cultural heritage protection.

The current Special Issue aims to publish outstanding research concerning the diverse range of microorganisms leading to the decay of historical and artistic artefacts, with specific attention to their ecology and detrimental effects on materials. The Special Issue will also focus on microorganisms that can work as a resource in the practice of restoration due to their molecules and metabolic features.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Daniela Isola
Dr. Teresa Rinaldi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • stone monuments
  • wooden artefacts
  • paper
  • subterranean cultural heritage sites
  • textile
  • metal biocorrosion
  • microbial enzymes
  • museum collections
  • glass
  • underwater cultural heritage

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5489 KiB  
Article
The Hypogeous Roman Archeological Museum of Positano: Study of the Evolution of Biological Threaten and Development of Adequate Control Protocols
by Federica Antonelli, Sara Iafrate, Marco Tescari, Manuel Giandomenico, Alma Kumbaric and Marco Bartolini
Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1520; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081520 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 838
Abstract
Hypogea are natural or artificial spaces located underground often of great interest from an anthropological, archeological, religious, artistic, or historic point of view. Due to their features, these environments usually present conservative problems and biological colonization could be considered as one of the [...] Read more.
Hypogea are natural or artificial spaces located underground often of great interest from an anthropological, archeological, religious, artistic, or historic point of view. Due to their features, these environments usually present conservative problems and biological colonization could be considered as one of the main threats. The present three-year study was carried out by specialists of the Central Institute for Restoration of Rome (ICR) in the hypogeous site preserved in the Roman Archeological Museum of Positano (Positano MAR) and focused on characterizing biological alterations present on the mural paintings; setting up efficient strategies and protocols for biodeterioration control; and monitoring the efficacy of direct and indirect interventions. Patinas with different morphologies were analyzed through microscopic observations, cultural analyses and next-generation sequencing. The results proved that the alterations comprised a great variety of microorganisms forming very distinct communities, differently distributed over space and time. The main taxa represented were bacteria of phyla Pseudomonadota and Actinomycetota, fungi belonging to the genus Fusarium and Gliocladium, and algae of the genus Chlorococcum. Preservation protocols were set up considering the alterations’ composition and included the application of biocides, limiting daily temperature changes, decreasing illuminance values on painted surfaces, and the screening of natural light sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms and Cultural Heritage: From Deterioration to Preservation Protocols)
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17 pages, 5657 KiB  
Article
Microbial Assessment in A Rare Norwegian Book Collection: A One Health Approach to Cultural Heritage
by Sílvia O. Sequeira, Ekaterina Pasnak, Carla Viegas, Bianca Gomes, Marta Dias, Renata Cervantes, Pedro Pena, Magdalena Twarużek, Robert Kosicki, Susana Viegas, Liliana Aranha Caetano, Maria João Penetra, Inês Silva, Ana Teresa Caldeira and Catarina Pinheiro
Microorganisms 2024, 12(6), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061215 - 17 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1393
Abstract
Microbial contamination poses a threat to both the preservation of library and archival collections and the health of staff and users. This study investigated the microbial communities and potential health risks associated with the UNESCO-classified Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive) collection exhibiting [...] Read more.
Microbial contamination poses a threat to both the preservation of library and archival collections and the health of staff and users. This study investigated the microbial communities and potential health risks associated with the UNESCO-classified Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive) collection exhibiting visible microbial colonization and staff health concerns. Dust samples from book surfaces and the storage environment were analysed using culturing methods, qPCR, Next Generation Sequencing, and mycotoxin, cytotoxicity, and azole resistance assays. Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Cladosporium sp. were the most common fungi identified, with some potentially toxic species like Stachybotrys sp., Toxicladosporium sp., and Aspergillus section Fumigati. Fungal resistance to azoles was not detected. Only one mycotoxin, sterigmatocystin, was found in a heavily contaminated book. Dust extracts from books exhibited moderate to high cytotoxicity on human lung cells, suggesting a potential respiratory risk. The collection had higher contamination levels compared to the storage environment, likely due to improved storage conditions. Even though overall low contamination levels were obtained, these might be underestimated due to the presence of salt (from cod preservation) that could have interfered with the analyses. This study underlines the importance of monitoring microbial communities and implementing proper storage measures to safeguard cultural heritage and staff well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms and Cultural Heritage: From Deterioration to Preservation Protocols)
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20 pages, 2510 KiB  
Article
The Roman Houses of the Caelian Hill (Rome, Italy): Multitemporal Evaluation of Biodeterioration Patterns
by Daniela Isola, Flavia Bartoli, Simona Morretta and Giulia Caneva
Microorganisms 2023, 11(7), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071770 - 6 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2064
Abstract
Like other hypogeal environments, the Roman Houses of the Caelian Hill are prone to unwanted biological growth. Wide conservative interventions have been carried out at the beginning of this millenium to reduce biodeterioration and physical–chemical damages. Retracing the last monitoring work, we assessed [...] Read more.
Like other hypogeal environments, the Roman Houses of the Caelian Hill are prone to unwanted biological growth. Wide conservative interventions have been carried out at the beginning of this millenium to reduce biodeterioration and physical–chemical damages. Retracing the last monitoring work, we assessed the site’s current state of conservation and biodeterioration intending to check the previous treatments’ effectiveness and deepen the common knowledge of the subterranean biota and their possible biodeteriogenic effects. Starting from the past test areas and the previous identifications of the occurring biodeteriogens, we further isolated and identified the main eubacterial, fungal, and phototrophic settlers, focusing on some detrimental traits for wall paintings (i.e., acid production and carbonate precipitation). The achieved results proved the success of the performed interventions in reducing the wall’s water content. Otherwise, the new conditions raise, in the long term, new concerns about lampenflora, carbonate precipitations, and salt efflorescence. Here, the Caelian Houses’ new status is documented. The possible favouring conditions for the different groups of biodeteriogens, along with the taxonomical novelties, additional risks tied to the anthropization of the resident culturable microbial community, and the possible relation between the black fungus Cyphellophora olivacea and roots, are reported and discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms and Cultural Heritage: From Deterioration to Preservation Protocols)
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27 pages, 15577 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Composition of Culturable Microorganisms and Their Biodeterioration Potentials in the Sandstone of Beishiku Temple, China
by Yong Zhang, Min Su, Fasi Wu, Ji-Dong Gu, Jie Li, Dongpeng He, Qinglin Guo, Huiping Cui, Qi Zhang and Huyuan Feng
Microorganisms 2023, 11(2), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020429 - 8 Feb 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2762
Abstract
Microbial colonization on stone monuments leads to subsequent biodeterioration; determining the microbe diversity, compositions, and metabolic capacities is essential for understanding biodeterioration mechanisms and undertaking heritage management. Here, samples of epilithic biofilm and naturally weathered and exfoliated sandstone particles from different locations at [...] Read more.
Microbial colonization on stone monuments leads to subsequent biodeterioration; determining the microbe diversity, compositions, and metabolic capacities is essential for understanding biodeterioration mechanisms and undertaking heritage management. Here, samples of epilithic biofilm and naturally weathered and exfoliated sandstone particles from different locations at the Beishiku Temple were collected to investigate bacterial and fungal community diversity and structure using a culture-based method. The biodeterioration potential of isolated fungal strains was analyzed in terms of pigmentation, calcite dissolution, organic acids, biomineralization ability, and biocide susceptibility. The results showed that the diversities and communities of bacteria and fungi differed for the different sample types from different locations. The population of culturable microorganisms in biofilm samples was more abundant than that present in the samples exposed to natural weathering. The environmental temperature, relative humidity, and pH were closely related to the variation in and distribution of microbial communities. Fungal biodeterioration tests showed that isolated strains four and five were pigment producers and capable of dissolving carbonates, respectively. Their biomineralization through the precipitation of calcium oxalate and calcite carbonate could be potentially applied as a biotechnology for stone heritage consolidation and the mitigation of weathering for monuments. This study adds to our understanding of culturable microbial communities and the bioprotection potential of fungal biomineralization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms and Cultural Heritage: From Deterioration to Preservation Protocols)
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12 pages, 1997 KiB  
Article
Microbiome Analysis of New, Insidious Cave Wall Alterations in the Apse of Lascaux Cave
by Lise Alonso, Thomas Pommier, Danis Abrouk, Mylène Hugoni, Van Tran Van, Guillaume Minard, Claire Valiente Moro and Yvan Moënne-Loccoz
Microorganisms 2022, 10(12), 2449; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10122449 - 12 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2347
Abstract
Lascaux Cave is a UNESCO site that was closed to the public following wall surface alterations. Most black stains that had formed on wall surface are stable or receding, but a new type of alteration visually quite different (termed dark zones) developed in [...] Read more.
Lascaux Cave is a UNESCO site that was closed to the public following wall surface alterations. Most black stains that had formed on wall surface are stable or receding, but a new type of alteration visually quite different (termed dark zones) developed in Lascaux’s Apse room in the last 15 years. Here, we tested the hypothesis that dark zones displayed a different microbial community than black stains previously documented in the same room, using metabarcoding (MiSeq sequencing). Indeed, dark zones, black stains and neighboring unstained parts displayed distinct microbial communities. However, similarly to what was observed in black stains, pigmented fungi such as Ochroconis (now Scolecobasidium) were more abundant and the bacteria Pseudomonas less abundant in dark zones than in unstained parts. The collembola Folsomia candida, which can disseminate microorganisms involved in black stain development, was also present on dark zones. Illumina sequencing evidenced Ochroconis (Scolecobasidium) in all collembola samples from dark zones, as in collembola from black stains. This study shows that the microbial properties of dark zones are peculiar, yet dark zones display a number of microbial resemblances with black stains, which suggests a possible role of collembola in promoting these two types of microbial alterations on wall surfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms and Cultural Heritage: From Deterioration to Preservation Protocols)
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