Evaluation of fungal community involved in the bioderioration process of wooden artworks and canvases in Montefeltro area (Marche, Italy)

Abstract

Microbiological monitoring represents one of the most useful methods to assess potential risks related to the integrity of cultural heritage. The objective of this work was to evaluate the fungal community prevalent in 64 different artworks of Montefeltro area (Marche, central Italy). A total of 293 swabs were collected and, among these, 2.3% resulted negative to cultural method, while 87.7% were positive for the presence of filamentous fungi, yeasts and Actinomycetes. Totally, 11 genera and 12 different species were recovered from Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), Czapek Dox Agar (CDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA), including 73 strains of Mycelia sterilia. Penicillium spp. was isolated mostly from canvases (28.8%), while Aspergillus spp. was most present in wooden artworks (25.3%). SDA was the best performing medium with 57.1% of isolations, followed by CDA and MEA with percentages of 24.8 and 18.1% respectively.This study could be useful to better understand the microorganism-related phenomena in cultural heritage of Marche region, identifying the potential risks and defining preventive protecting such as climate control, frequent cleaning and environmental monitoring.