Abstract
The need for compatible materials for the preservation of cultural heritage has resulted in the revival of lime-based mortar technology and other applications. This work investigates the cohesion and integrity of lime mortars added with fresh mucilage extracted from five plants and evaluates their bioreceptivity for long-term durability. Specimens of lime mortars added with 2.5% of fresh mucilage extracted from Aloe vera, Cylindropuntia californica, Opuntia engelmannii, Opuntia ficus-indica and Salvia hispanica mucilages were analyzed for color change (colorimetry), cohesion (ultrasound measurements), integrity (X-rays) and bioreceptivity (microbiological tests).The internal structure of the specimens added with Cacti mucilages shows better compactness, and no color change was noticed in the bio-mortars also after aging. The bioreceptivity response of mortars inoculated with bacteria, fungi and a photosynthetic biofilm was quite different. Specimens added with Aloe and Cylindropuntia mucilages showed a higher extent of bioreceptivity than the control; the specimens of bio-mortars added with Opuntia engelmannii, Opuntia ficus-indica and Salvia hispanica mucilages did not appear, up to threemonths after the contamination, any microbial growth. These results indicate that the addition of mucilage improves the mortar qualities, but the choice of the plant mucilage must be carefully evaluated since it can be responsible for changes in the bioreceptivity of the mortar.
Highlights
The need for compatible materials for the preservation of cultural heritagehas resulted in the revival of lime-based mortar technology and other applications
Lime mortars prepared with the addition of organic additives have been used for centuries in building constructions and, more recently, for restoring and protecting historical buildings
In Mexico, the use of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage in mortars is a traditional procedure, but despite the large use, only in recent years, a scientific approach was used to evaluate the effectiveness of this practice and to elucidate the physicochemical mechanisms involved
Summary
The need for compatible materials for the preservation of cultural heritagehas resulted in the revival of lime-based mortar technology and other applications. Quick lime is the traditional ingredient used in ancient mortars and plasters; early examples have been found in Palestine and Turkey dating back to 12,000 before present (BP) as well as in Asia, Egypt, Greece and throughout the Roman Empire, in North and South America [1,2]. Lime is the binder of choice for the preparation of compatible mortars used to construct masonry and monuments and in the conservation of architectural heritage. Despite the apparent simplicity of the technology involved in mortar preparation, the different chemical reactions occurring during the various steps are quite complex. The hardening of slaked lime (reaction with air and progressive drying) and the choice of the filler are two important steps that influence both durability and workability. Ancient recipes describe the use of animal glues, such as casein and other dairy products, fat, albumen, and blood, and vegetable glues, such as linseed oil, beer, and resins [3,4] as an additive to improve quality mortars
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