Anti-Mold Effectiveness of a Green Emulsion Based on Citrus aurantium Hydrolate and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Essential Oil for the Modern Paintings Restoration.

Maura Di Vito,Maurizio Sanguinetti,Maria Rita Proto,Luigia Sabatini,Maria Grazia Bellardi,Melinda Mariotti,Francesca Bugli,Paola Mattarelli,Alice Peduzzi,Stefania Garzoli,Daphne De Luca,Lorenzo Barbanti,Lara Vergari

doi:10.3390/microorganisms10020205

Abstract

A modern painting is characterized by multi-material bases extremely exposed to biodeteriogenic attacks. The aim of this work was to test the antifungal effectiveness of a natural, eco-friendly, and safe emulsion based on Citrus aurantium L. var. amara hydrolate and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (from bark) essential oil, named “Zeylantium green emulsion” (Zege), on modern paintings. Colored unaged and aged canvas samples, performed with modern techniques (acrylic, vinylic and alkyd), were used to test in vitro both the antifungal effectiveness of Zege and its impact on the chemical–physical characteristics. Microbiological tests were performed according to the EUCAST international guidelines. pH measurements and colorimetric analysis were performed on unaged and aged canvases before and after Zege spray treatment. Finally, in situ tests were performed using the spray emulsion on canvas samples obtained from Ilaria Margutti’s modern artwork, which had been colonized by molds. Microbiological tests on canvas prototypes showed a time- and dose-dependent effectiveness of the Zege spray. None of the techniques underwent relevant changes in pH. Only the acrylic colors were unaffected in the colorimetric analysis, among all colored unaged or aged canvases. Tests made with modern artwork samples confirmed the in situ antifungal effectiveness. The Zege spray showed encouraging results in regard to the use of this formulation in the restoration of modern paintings.

Highlights

Modern art, an initial form of rejection of past currents, fills a long chapter of history that began at the end of the Nineteenth Century and represents the desire for experimentation towards new techniques and visual forms
This polymaterial nature makes these paintings extremely exposed to biodeteriogenic attacks, which can irreversibly damage this heritage of humanity
Zeylantium green emulsion” (Zege) was studied to be a possible alternative to biocides normally used in the restoration of canvas artworks

Summary

Introduction

An initial form of rejection of past currents, fills a long chapter of history that began at the end of the Nineteenth Century and represents the desire for experimentation towards new techniques and visual forms. It developed through a vast series of Microorganisms 2022, 10, 205. A modern painting is characterized by material bases that give a three-dimensional shape to the picture using different effects: striped, spatulated, sponged, etc. This polymaterial nature makes these paintings extremely exposed to biodeteriogenic attacks, which can irreversibly damage this heritage of humanity. Water-based paints are the most susceptible to attack by microorganisms that survive in this element [1]

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