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Fungal degradation of cultural heritage monuments and management options


Affiliations
1 Building Pests and Mycology Laboratory, Environmental Science and Technology Group, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247 667, India
 

Fungi are widely recognized as major biodeteriogens of both modern and historical buildings/monuments. Different fungal taxa have been isolated from cultural heritage monuments/structures depending on climatic conditions, humidity level and surface material for fungal colonization. Deterioration of such monuments by fungi is through assimilatory biochemical and nonassimilatory mechanisms. This article provides information on fungi infesting historical monuments/sites across the globe and their management by various biocidal compounds. The preventive methods and potency of various essential oils against fungal growth on cultural heritage materials are also critically reviewed. The available information supports the use of essential oils for surface treatment or vapour exposure to prevent mould infestation on heritage monuments. Essential oils may also function as fungicidal agents in biocidal formulations/coatings.

Keywords

Biodegradation, Biocidal Essential Oils, Cultural Heritage, Fungi, Historical Monuments.
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  • Fungal degradation of cultural heritage monuments and management options

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Authors

Prachi Tyagi
Building Pests and Mycology Laboratory, Environmental Science and Technology Group, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247 667, India
Rajesh K. Verma
Building Pests and Mycology Laboratory, Environmental Science and Technology Group, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247 667, India
Neeraj Jain
Building Pests and Mycology Laboratory, Environmental Science and Technology Group, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee 247 667, India

Abstract


Fungi are widely recognized as major biodeteriogens of both modern and historical buildings/monuments. Different fungal taxa have been isolated from cultural heritage monuments/structures depending on climatic conditions, humidity level and surface material for fungal colonization. Deterioration of such monuments by fungi is through assimilatory biochemical and nonassimilatory mechanisms. This article provides information on fungi infesting historical monuments/sites across the globe and their management by various biocidal compounds. The preventive methods and potency of various essential oils against fungal growth on cultural heritage materials are also critically reviewed. The available information supports the use of essential oils for surface treatment or vapour exposure to prevent mould infestation on heritage monuments. Essential oils may also function as fungicidal agents in biocidal formulations/coatings.

Keywords


Biodegradation, Biocidal Essential Oils, Cultural Heritage, Fungi, Historical Monuments.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv121%2Fi12%2F1553-1560