BEVOTEC12 – a novel biocide for mural paintings and cultural heritage conservation

Abstract

Microorganisms are involved in biodeterioration processes and may cause severe damage in mural paintings, such as discoloration of the painting and detachment of the paint layer. The microbiological study of selected mural paintings suffering from biodegradation processes, allowed to identify the microbial communities responsible for the biodegradation. Different commercial biocides (Preventol PN, Panacide, Linquad) and a new biocide of lipopeptide nature (BEVOTEC12), produced in our laboratory, were tested to control the propagation of these microorganisms, to contribute for an efficient conservation of the mural paintings.