Microbiota and Biochemical Processes Involved in Biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage and Protection

Abstract

The world cultural heritage sites face new challenges for an effective protection and management because of destruction and damage initiated by both natural and anthropogenic causes. Fresh rock and sandstone surfaces of buildings are quickly colonized and covered by a layer of microorganisms, including phototrophs, lithotrophs, and heterotrophs to form a biofilm that alters the local conditions of the stone surfaces, especially under the favorable tropical climate conditions for autotrophic microorganisms and plants. Biofilms had been studied with indigenous or pure cultures of isolated microorganisms, but the selective ones that contribute to deterioration of the cultural heritage cannot be confirmed easily. Currently, high-throughput sequencing and metegenomics analyses are capable of obtaining microbial community and composition in great depth, but they also suffer from similar weakness unable to identify the culprits in the community. With these as background, this article presents a different approach by focusing on the biochemical processes and the responsible microorganisms involved to reveal the destruction processes for management and protection. Among these different functional groups of microorganisms, lichens are known as pioneering rock-decomposing microorganisms, and both sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and fungi participate in the decomposition of sandstone via sulfur cycling and initiation of salt attack of the stone afterward, resulting in defoliation and cracking of stone. Other microorganisms including ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea, especially the latter, have been recently detected on sandstone monuments providing evidence on the new organisms involved in the deterioration of cultural heritage and buildings. In addition, fungi can colonize the surfaces of the matured biofilms and play a new role in the removal of them, which has a potential biotechnological application in conservation of cultural heritage. The new proposed approach by focusing the microorganisms with identified biochemical function is more productive than a description of the community composition and assembly when assessing cultural heritage biodeterioration, and this provides basic and useful information for effective protection strategies and management.

Active Packaging Material Based on Immobilized Diatomaceous Earth/Zinc Oxide/High-Density Polyethylene Composite for Sea Food and Products

“…Seafood is classified as perishable owing to its high water content, which promotes rapid decomposition, particularly by microorganisms [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Improper handling during pre- and post-harvest hastens the growth of native microorganisms, which triggers chemical and biochemical reactions that result in deterioration [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Fishy odor impedes the packaging of seafood products as it is difficult to remove the fishy odor from water that permeates and adheres to the packaging of seafood products.…”

Plant Essential Oils as Biocides in Sustainable Strategies for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

“…The use of green biocides such as EOs is a valid alternative to synthetic biocides, allowing us to control the spread of microbial communities in cultural heritage assets using low-toxicity products that are easy to handle and environmentally sustainable [88,89]. Gu and Katayama [90], in their book, illustrate a collection of articles focused on green and sustainable strategies for heritage conservation.…”

Diversity and adaptation properties of actinobacteria associated with Tunisian stone ruins

“…In contrast, nonfilamentous microbes, such as various Proteobacteria and Firmicutes form aggregates that aid biofilm development and community cohesion ( Ding et al, 2022 ). Autotrophic microorganisms of Cyanobacteria act as primary producers of the community and can provide the initial carbon sources to the stone surfaces, modify the surface characteristics and diversify the community from nutrient-poor to enrichment of heterotrophs on surfaces ( Gu and Katayama, 2021 ).Climate and environmental conditions are the main driving factors that are responsible for the biological colonization of stone, especially for open-air sites ( Zhang et al, 2021 ; Ding et al, 2022 ). Also the Geochemistry influences the microbial community structure, likely by impacting rates of microbial colonization and limiting access to minerals and nutrients required for growth ( Louati et al, 2020 ; Ennis et al, 2021 ).…”