MITIGATION APPROACH TO AVOID FUNGAL COLONISATION OF POROUS LIMESTONE

Abstract

This work highlights the importance and eficacy of BEVOTECH solutions to inhibit fungal development on rock surfaces. These natural, ecofriendly and safe biocompounds can overcome the biodecay processes, constituting an alternative and innovative solution for rock materials preservation. The three BEVOTECH biocompounds promoted efficient inhibition levels for Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Acremonium, being completely safe for rock materials, do not inducing any alteration on colour, texture and structure of the stones. Mitigation strategies using combinatory application of these new solutions seems to be an efficient strategy to control and eliminate a complex population that usually colonise Cultural Heritage assets. According to the efficiency and safety of these novel biocompounds, their implementation on the plan of conservation and intervention process needs to be outlined and include on mitigation strategies to prevent, control and minimise biodeterioration, to contribute for the preservation and safeguard of these cultural assets.