Microbiological Analysis of Surfaces of Leonardo Da Vinci’s<i>Atlantic Codex</i>: Biodeterioration Risk

Tarsitani, G; Moroni, Catia; Cappitelli, Francesca; Pasquariello, Giovanna; Maggi, Oriana

doi:10.1155/2014/214364

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Only recent DNA may have remained, i.e., that of the restorers who manipulated it. In this context, Tarsitani et al (2014) already noted that the period of restoration was probably the critical moment when the discoloration and deterioration of other emblematic drawings by Leonardo da Vinci began, namely in the Atlantic Codex.…”

Section: Microbiome Biodiversity In the Drawingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Microbiome of Leonardo da Vinci’s Drawings: A Bio-Archive of Their History

Piñar

Sclocchi²,

Pinzari³

et al. 2020

Front. Microbiol.

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Seven emblematic Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings were investigated through third generation sequencing technology (Nanopore). In addition, SEM analyses were carried out to acquire photographic documentation and to infer the nature of the micro-objects removed from the surface of the drawings. The Nanopore generated microbiomes can be used as a “bio-archive” of the drawings, offering a kind of fingerprint for current and future biological comparisons. This information might help to create a biological catalog of the drawings (cataloging), a microbiome-fingerprint for each single analyzed drawing, as a reference dataset for future studies (monitoring) and last but not least a bio-archive of the history of each single object (added value). Results showed a relatively high contamination with human DNA and a surprising dominance of bacteria over fungi. However, it was possible to identify typical bacteria of the human microbiome, which are mere contaminants introduced by handling of the drawings as well as other microorganisms that seem to have been introduced through vectors, such as insects and their droppings, visible through the SEM analyses. All drawings showed very specific bio-archives, but a core microbiome of bacteria and fungi that are repeatedly found in this type of material as true degraders were identified, such as members of the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes among bacteria, and fungi belonging to the classes Sordariomycetes and Eurotiomycetes. In addition, some similarities were observed that could be influenced by their geographical location (Rome or Turin), indicating the influence of this factor and denoting the importance of environmental and storage conditions on the specific microbiomes.

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Section: Microbiome Biodiversity In the Drawingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Microbiome of Leonardo da Vinci’s Drawings: A Bio-Archive of Their History

Piñar

Sclocchi²,

Pinzari³

et al. 2020

Front. Microbiol.

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“…Among the isolates, three strains were chosen as representatives to be further characterized, as they belong to the Gram-positive P. pabuli, K. rhizophila, and B. licheniformis and one to the Gram-negative S. maltophilia species. All of them are involved in biodeterioration, as reported in many works (Tarsitani et al, 2014;Saiz-Jimenez, 2017). P. pabuli, besides the microbial corrosion of glass, is also involved in biodeterioration of historic limestone buildings (Marvasi et al, 2009;Skipper and Skipper, 2016); B. licheniformis, instead, is a facultative anaerobe, and it has been identified on deteriorated paintings (Capodicasa et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Nanopore Sequencing and Bioinformatics for Rapidly Identifying Cultural Heritage Spoilage Microorganisms

et al. 2020

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Microbiological methodologies allow understanding the causes that lead to the development of a certain microbial community colonizing an artistic surface, to characterize its composition and describe its role in the deterioration of the constituent materials. Metagenomics allows identifying microbial communities directly in their natural environments, bypassing the need for isolation and cultivation of individual species, thus providing a more comprehensive picture of the biodiversity present on a surface compared with standard cultivation methods. Furthermore, molecular analyses require small amounts of material, favoring the preservation of the artistic surface during sampling. Here, we verified the suitability of a protocol consisting in DNA extraction with micro-invasive sampling, using adhesive tape, PCR amplification with universal primers [bacteria (16S), fungi (ITS), and Viridiplantae (18S)], and amplicon sequencing by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) in the hypogeum of Basilica di San Nicola in Carcere Church (Rome, Italy). Sequence data were analyzed with a bioinformatic pipeline customized for pinpointing cultural heritage spoiling organisms, named "AmpLIcon SequencIng Analysis" (ALISIA). These data were integrated with traditional microbiology techniques that allowed the isolation of cultivable bacteria; three species were also characterized through their capability of biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. Further, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed to characterize the main products present on the masonry surface providing indications on the type of decay present. This novel biological workflow represents a powerful opportunity to investigate the microbial colonization of artistic surfaces aimed at implementing preservation strategies of cultural heritage from bio-spoilage.

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“…Bacillus megaterium, B. cereus, Micrococcus luteus, Psychrobacter psychrophilus, and Kocuria sp. have been isolated from, among others, historical parchments, 32 paper documents, 33 archaeological textiles, 34 or paintings. 28 Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. ramotenellum, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium corylophilum, P. glabrum, or Embellisia abundans have been previously described as xerophilic fungi inhabiting niches such as libraries and archives.…”

Section: Microbiological Analysis Of the Textile Storing Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of high-density polyethylene materials on microbiological purity in the process of storing and preserving textiles

Lech

2016

Textile Research Journal

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Textiles made of natural fibers, both contemporary and historical, are at constant risk of degradation caused by, among others, microbial enzymatic activity. Fungi, bacteria, or actinomycetes are capable of producing proteolytic and cellulolytic enzymes, enabling microbial growth on textiles and leading to their decay. Ensuring proper storage conditions, including the usage of protective materials, allows long-term preservation of historical textiles in a good condition. These studies involved a broad microbiological analysis in order to verify whether high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials can protect historical textiles during their storage. The results demonstrate interesting differences in microbial counts between washed textiles stored without HDPE covers and those stored in such covers; the latter presented considerably higher counts of microorganisms. However, when textiles had previously been sterilized, HDPE covers helped maintain appropriate microbiological purity. A considerable portion of historical textile collections, particularly exceptional silk liturgical vestments or burial garments, are kept by church institutions and stored in sacristies, treasuries, or other church rooms. The specificity of these places, both cultural and related to the age of the buildings themselves, makes them exceptional environments for storing textiles. To date, these places have rarely been researched, particularly in microbiological aspects. The analysis recounted below encompasses qualitative and quantitative assessment of fungi and bacteria present in the air of the treasury of the Wawel Royal Cathedral in Krakow, Poland, as well as the analysis of their destructive potential.

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Microbiological Analysis of Surfaces of Leonardo Da Vinci’sAtlantic Codex: Biodeterioration Risk

Cited by 14 publications

References 27 publications

The Microbiome of Leonardo da Vinci’s Drawings: A Bio-Archive of Their History

The Microbiome of Leonardo da Vinci’s Drawings: A Bio-Archive of Their History

Nanopore Sequencing and Bioinformatics for Rapidly Identifying Cultural Heritage Spoilage Microorganisms

The impact of high-density polyethylene materials on microbiological purity in the process of storing and preserving textiles

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