Technology Transfer Department

Application sectors

Problem to solve

Procedure that uses, either alone or in combination, specific non-pathogenic bacteria, immobilized in an easily applicable and removable gel, for the selective cleaning of deposits, even overlapping, without damaging the paint or the constitutive material of artifacts and without leaving residues. The procedure is harmless and selective and is intended to replace toxic and aggressive products

Description

In accordance with the new principles of sustainable restoration, the technology involves a bio-cleaning procedure for coherent deposits of various types—even layered—on different types of artworks, using micropacks containing viable bacterial cells. The bacteria used are specifically selected, aerobic, non-pathogenic, spontaneous environmental strains, available from the EMCC microbial collection. The supporting gel, prepared at appropriate concentrations, immobilizes the bacterial cells while maintaining the right humidity. It allows the micropack to be easily applied even to vertical surfaces or ceilings, and at the end of the treatment, it is easily removable without leaving residue. The procedure is selective, does not damage the artwork's surface or its noble patina; it can be applied to numerous cases and it is "tailor-made"  adaptable

Research group involved