Bacteria wage war on cultural preservation
BIOBRUSH is a six member consortium of European specialists designed to assess different approaches that would provide the most beneficial for the restoration and preservation of stonework architecture in Europe. The feasibility study tested both in laboratory and then later in the field, examined risk and performance values specifically under differing climatic conditions. Conducted both in Northern and Southern European states, part of the study assessed the performance of specific bacteria to wage war against pollutants. On a microbial level particular performance values were assessed. For example, hydrocarbon breakdown and sulphate reduction were examined. Moreover, the screening also examined bacteria that could be used to reduce nitrates. Because calcite is a major constituent of limestone and many of the grand historical architectures that dot the European landscape are built from limestone, a major focus of the project was to examine bacteria that could benefit limestone restoration. Of these Pseudomonas putida, a saprotrophic soil bacterium was deemed highly appropriate. It proved to assist the limestone recovery, had low risk factors to human health and high sensitivity to most antibiotics. Other bacteria were also evaluated, the results of which have been compiled into the BIOBRUSH culture collection. This constitutes a database of information listing the findings of the project for further use and expansion to assist research and development.
