Am. Seves et al., THE MICROBIAL COLONIZATION OF OIL PAINTINGS - A LABORATORY INVESTIGATION, International biodeterioration & biodegradation, 37(3-4), 1996, pp. 215-224
Only a few bacterial and fungal species present in a soil extract grew
and survived on painted canvases prepared utilizing the materials and
following the recipes traditionally used for paintings. When pure cul
tures of these microorganisms were used to contaminate such canvases,
microbial growth and survival were even more reduced. On the other han
d, on this substrate, the bacteria isolated from a heavily contaminate
d XVIth century fresco grew to a limited extent, but remained viable f
or a much longer period of time. Unlike the bacteria isolated from soi
l, those isolated from the fresco were able to hydrolyse cellulose and
proteins. It is thus possible that the capacity to utilize these macr
omolecules may favour microbial survival on paintings. Furthermore, th
e addition of phosphate strongly stimulates growth of all microbial sp
ecies indicating that this anion is the limiting nutrient factor. Copy
right (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited