Conservation of built heritage: Natural Formulations agaINst bio-dEterioration

Objective

Microorganisms can generate serious problems for the conservation of our shared cultural heritage: bio-colonisation by bacteria, algae, and moulds can induce physical, chemical, and aesthetic damages. Current chemical methods used to remove and prevent bio-colonisation of built stone heritage involves the use of toxic biocides, despite the risk to the environment and operators. Antimicrobial nanoparticles and naturally occurring enzymes have been alternatively proposed; however, they often show poor efficacy, along with low operational and environmental stability. CoNFine aims to develop innovative and high specificity natural-based bio-deterioration mitigation solutions tested on remains at the Oxpemul archaeological site, located in Mexico's Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. The project will produce and test new formulations based on enzyme immobilisation on metal-oxide nanoparticles and polymeric hydrogels. Presumably, enzyme anchoring on naturally occurring nanostructured surfaces will enhance the inherent enzymatic activity and stability, thereby increasing their overall efficacy. The highly trans-disciplinary project involves a multi-analytical approach to provide new solutions for mitigating bio-deterioration. The efficacy, compatibility, and longevity of the CoNFine products will be monitored during the MSCA-GF funded period and afterwards, using a Citizen Science initiative for long-term feedback. In this way, CoNFine will significantly contribute to the development of more respectful conservation solutions, which are also in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. CoNFine provides innovative beyond state-of-the-art materials to protect cultural heritage surfaces and preserve cultural identities. Importantly, it creates a truly unique training opportunity for the highly skilled applicant and host institutions, who will benefit from a rewarding knowledge exchange at the interfaces between cultural heritage, microbiology, and chemistry.