Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil and Hydro-Alcoholic Solutions to Counteract Wooden Artwork Microbial Colonization

Silvia Sparacello,Belinda Giambra,Beatrice Bruno,Teresa Faddetta,Franco Palla,Bartolomeo Megna,Giovanna Nicotra,Giuseppe Gallo

doi:10.3390/app11188704

Silvia Sparacello, Belinda Giambra + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188704

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Journal: Applied Sciences	Publication Date: Sep 18, 2021
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Palermo

Abstract

Aromatic plants represent a source of natural products with medicinal properties, and are also utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Recently, the need for eco-compatible and non-toxic products, safe for both the environment and human health, have been proposed for the sustainable conservation of historic–artistic artifacts. In this study, in order to counteract microbial colonization (Aspergillus sp., Streptomyces sp., Micrococcus sp.) on wooden artwork surfaces, Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil (EO) and hydro-alcoholic (HA) solutions were applied in a polyphasic approach. The antimicrobial activities of EO and HA solutions were preliminarily assessed by agar disc diffusion (ADD) and well plate diffusion (WPD) in vitro methods, defining the specific concentration useful for bacterial and fungal genera, identified by optical microscopies, in vitro cultures (nutrient or Sabouraud agar), and DNA base molecular biology investigations. Specifically, the microbial patina was directly removed by a hydro-alcoholic solution (while evaluating the potential colorimetric change of the artwork’s surface) combined with exposure to EO volatile compounds, performed in a dedicated “clean chamber”. This study proposes, for the first time, the combined use of two plant extracts to counteract microbial development on wooden artworks, providing supplementary information on these products as bio-agents.

Highlights

This study concerned demo-ethno-anthropological assets from a conservative point of view, proposing an integrated approach as much as was possibly safe for the health of the operators and the environment, from a green restoration perspective
[23,24,25,26].InInrecent recenttimes, times, choice of sustainable methods to counteract bial colonization on cultural assets is focused on plant bioactive compounds, representing microbial colonization on cultural assets is focused on plant bioactive compounds, valid alternatives to synthetic preservatives
Historical–artistic assets represent an inestimable heritage whose value is related to artistic characteristics, and to past history, culture, and traditions. These significant treasures need to be protected from damage induced by air pollution, physical and chemical agents, and microbial colonization

Summary

Introduction

This study concerned demo-ethno-anthropological assets from a conservative point of view, proposing an integrated approach as much as was possibly safe for the health of the operators and the environment, from a green restoration perspective. The B731 wooden sculpture used in this study refers to a female subject made from a single block of wood, and part of the Sogo Bò collection at the Museo Internazionale delle Marionette “Pasqualino. Sogo Bò is a very old theatre linked to local Mali folklore. To build the puppets, a group of young boys, and, only in recent times, young girls (not yet married) come together in cooperative groups called ton. Sogo Bò theatre is intrinsically linked to music, so much so, that no character or show can be identified without the relevant songs. The construction of the puppets and the staging of the shows are strongly linked to religions and to a spiritual path reserved only for actors and initiates [1,2,3].

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