Biotechnology applied to cultural heritage: strategies for the preservation of built heritage

Authors

  • Benjamin Otto Ortega Morales Centro de Investigación en Microbiología Ambiental y Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n., Campeche, México.
  • Juan Carlos Camacho-Chab Centro de Investigación en Microbiología Ambiental y Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n., Campeche, México.
  • José Alberto Narváez-Zapata Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CBG. Blvd. del Maestro esq. Elías Piña, Col. Narciso Mendoza, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México.

Keywords:

Cultural heritage, Bioconservation, Biomineralization

Abstract

Mayan monuments are prone to deterioration due to the synergistic action of chemical, biological and physical agents. Limestone suffers biodeterioration due to microbial action. Deterioration is usually dealt with removal of biofilms and consolidation. Recently, the application of biotechnology for the conservation can be performed using microbial biomineralization, biocides and bioconsolidants. Biotechnological approaches also include the use of certain microorganisms can biostabilize stone surfaces. Biotechnology has the potential to contribute with methods and strategies that, added to conventional restoration practices, to the preservation of built heritage based on an interdisciplinary approach.

References

Ortega-Morales, O., Guezennec, J., Hernández-Duque, G., Gaylarde, C. C., & Gaylarde, P. M. (2000). Phototrophic biofilms on ancient Mayan buildings in Yucatan, Mexico. Current microbiology, 40(2), 81–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002849910015

Scheerer, S., Ortega-Morales, O., & Gaylarde, C. (2009). Microbial deterioration of stone monuments--an updated overview. In Elsevier (ed): Advances in applied microbiology (pp. 97–139). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2164(08)00805-8

Jroundi, F., Elert, K., Ruiz-Agudo, E., Gonzalez-Muñoz, M. T., & Rodriguez Navarro, C. (2020). Bacterial diversity evolution in Maya plaster and stone following a bio-conservation treatment. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11:599144. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.599144

Fernandes P. (2006). Applied microbiology and biotechnology in the conservation of stone cultural heritage materials. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 73(2), 291–296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0599-8

Ortega-Morales, B. O., & Gaylarde, C. C. (2021). Bioconservation of historic stone buildings—an updated review. Applied Sciences, 11(12), 5695. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125695

Narváez-Zapata, J. A., Paramo-Aguilera, L. A., & Ortega-Morales, B. O. (2012). Culturable fungi associated with urban stone surfaces in Mexico City. Electronic journal of biotechnology: EJB, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.2225/vol15-issue4-fulltext-6

Rodríguez-Navarro, C., Jroundi, F., González-Muñoz, M. A. T., & Elert, K. (2023). Consolidación de la piedra con bacterias. Revista PH, 252. https://doi.org/10.33349/2023.110.5373

Camacho-Chab, J. C., Camacho-Chab, P. A., Pereañez-Sacarías, J. E., Montero-Muñoz, J. L., Almeyda-Cen, A. I., Dzul-López, L. A., Reyes-Estebanez, M. M., & Ortega-Morales, B. O. (2024). Short-term effect of biopolymer-based coatings on surface hardness and color of limestone exposed to tropical outdoor conditions. Coatings, 14(2), 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14020154

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Published

2025-03-11

How to Cite

Ortega Morales, B. O., Camacho-Chab, J. C., & Narváez-Zapata, J. A. (2025). Biotechnology applied to cultural heritage: strategies for the preservation of built heritage. Revista De divulgación científica IBIO, 7(2), 204. Retrieved from http://revistaibio.com/ojs33/index.php/main/article/view/204

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): Science that transforms into solutions

Section

Hot Science

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