Assessment of Biological Contamination from Wooden Artifacts of Golesti Museum ^†

Wood, a traditional common material with multiple applications in civil and religious buildings, furniture, and artistic objects, is subjected to physical, chemical, and biological factors which facilitate the growth of a diverse microbial community acting through specific and complex pathways. The degradation and biodeterioration of wooden artefacts is influenced by abiotic factors (temperature, moisture etc.), the specificity of the microbial community involved in the process, and interactions between the organisms and the substrates. The early detection of microbial damage will allow a more rapid intervention for the remediation and preservation of artifacts.

Several experimental procedures for collecting samples and the purification of microorganisms isolated were used. The purification of isolates was carried out by culturing on solid medium and periodically transferring hyphal tips. The pure colonies were examined at optical microscope Olympus BX 51 for identification on the basis of their morphology [1]. Three commercial biocides were tested against several fungal isolates collected from wooden objects exposed in Golesti Museum.

There were identified fungal strains belonging to common genera, very well known for their ability to colonize wooden substrates, such as Rhizopus, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Chaetomium, and Cladosporium. In many cases, the contamination of samples collected from Golesti Museum represents the result of a microbial community growing on wooden objects. Preliminary results of the biocides tests revealed that compound C1 exhibited a strong inhibitory activity versus Penicillium, Cladosporium, Chaetomium, and Aspergillus isolates, followed by compound C2, presenting a lower activity, mainly towards Cladosporium and Chaetomium isolates. Compound C3was the least effective in inhibiting fungal isolates.

The microbial attack generates a loss of dimensions and structural stability, affecting the aesthetical aspect and finally the valor of objects. Understanding the mechanism of microbial degradation of artifacts is relevant not only from a scientific point of view, but also for economic reasons. Identifying the contaminant fungal species and the factors enhancing their growth is an essential step for the success in the elaboration of a proper and effective strategy for cultural heritage preservation.