Abstract
The effect of aging on the microbial colonization of two model systems, “mock paintings” and silk, has been investigated in samples artificially aged. In the case of mock paintings, as compared to untreated controls, aging by heat treatment increases colonization by the two tested fungal species (almost two orders of magnitude in the most aged samples). Relining of aged paintings seems to result in an increase in the colonization by bacteria and fungi if wheat starch paste is used in the relining procedure. In the case of silk fibroin, aging by treatment with wet heat or exposure to a Xenon lamp does increase to a small extent the susceptibility to bacterial invasion. However, fungi seem to grow on artificially-aged fibroin but not on the untreated protein. Thus it appears likely that the chemical modifications induced by the two treatments render fibroin a source of carbon and nitrogen utilisable also by fungi. The latter data may be of some relevance to the conservation of silk artifacts of historical or artistic interest.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bock, E. and W. Sand. 1993. The microbiology of masonry biodeterioration. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 74: 503–514.
Kurupillai, R.V., S.P. Hersh and P.A. Tucker. 1989. Degradation of silk by heat and light. In Historic Textile and Paper Materials. Needles, H.L., Zeronian, S.H., Eds.; Advances in Chemistry 212: 111–127. American Chemical Society Washington, D.C.
O’Neill, T.B. 1986. Succession and interrelationships of microoganisms on painted surfaces. J. Coatings Technol. 58: 51–56.
Ortega-Calvo, J. J., M. Hernandez-Marine and C. Saiz-Jimenez. 1991. Biodeterioration of building materials by cyanobacteria and algae. Int. Biodeterioration 28: 165–185.
Reynolds, E.S. 1950. Pullularia as a cause of deterioration of paint and plastic surfaces in South Florida. Mycologia 42: 432–448.
Seves, A.M., S. Sora and O. Ciferri. 1995. The microbial colonization of oil paintings. A laboratory investigation.lst Congress on Science and Technology for the Safeguard on Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean Basin 26 nov.-2 dec., Catania, p. 1315–1317.
Seves, A.M., S. Sora and O. Ciferri. 1996. The microbial colonization of oil paintings. A laboratory investigation. Int. Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 37: 215–224.
Seves, A.M., M. RomanÒ, T. Maifreni, S. Sora and O. Ciferri. 1998. The microbial degradation of silk: a laboratory investigation. Int. Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 42: 203–211.
Seves, A.M., S. Sora, G. Scicolone, G. Testa, A.M. Bonfatti, E. Rossi and A. Seves. 1999. Effect of thermal accelerated ageing on the structural properties of model canvas paintings. Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage. In press.
Wazny, J. and P. Rudniewski. 1972. The biodeterioration of binding materials used in artistic painting. Material und Organismen 7: 81–92.
Winters, H., I.R. Isquith and M. Goll. 1975. A study of the ecological succession in biodeterioration of a vinyl acrylic paint film. In Developments in Industrial Microbiology. Vol. 17: 167–171.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Seves, A. et al. (2000). A Laboratory Investigation of the Microbial Degradation of Cultural Heritage. In: Ciferri, O., Tiano, P., Mastromei, G. (eds) Of Microbes and Art. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4239-1_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4239-1_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6904-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4239-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive