UV-C Irradiation as a Tool to Reduce Biofilm Growth on Pompeii Wall Paintings

Paola Cennamo, Marta Ebbreo, Giovanni Quarta, Giorgio Trojsi, Alessandro De Rosa, Simona Carfagna, Paolo Caputo and Monica Martelli Castaldi
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Paola Cennamo: Department of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, Italy
Marta Ebbreo: Department of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, Italy
Giovanni Quarta: ISPC-CNR, c/o Campus Universitario, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Giorgio Trojsi: Department of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, Italy
Alessandro De Rosa: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
Simona Carfagna: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
Paolo Caputo: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
Monica Martelli Castaldi: Department of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-11

Abstract: This study focuses on the experimentation of a method based on the use of UV-C irradiation to eliminate the biofilms present in a tomb located in the necropolis of Porta Nocera, in Pompeii. For this study, the autotrophic component of the biofilm was isolated in the laboratory, while, contemporarily, the characterization of the composition of the pigments of the frescoes took place on original fragments, which had already detached from the tomb and were examined in situ. These preliminary analyses were necessary for the recreation of test samples in the laboratory, which closely matched the original surfaces. Artificial biofilms were used for experimental exposure to UV-C radiation. The exposure to UV-C radiation was carried out at different distances for a fixed time interval. The effectiveness of the biocidal action was assessed by employing optical microscopy techniques, through a careful visual assessment of the area occupied by the biofilm on the different test samples, using a photographic survey, as well as by means of colorimetric measurements using spectrometric techniques. In order to obtain an additional parameter to evaluate the death rate of microorganism cultures exposed to the UV-C radiation, the concentrations of the photosynthetic pigments were also measured by spectrophotometry. Results showed that biofilms were completely eradicated by radiation, and no change in pigment color was observed.

Keywords: biofilms; UV-C irradiation; Pompeii; conservation; pigment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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