Analyzing chemical changes in verdigris pictorial specimens upon bacteria and fungi biodeterioration using voltammetry of microparticles.

Annette Suleika Ortiz Miranda's picture
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TitleAnalyzing chemical changes in verdigris pictorial specimens upon bacteria and fungi biodeterioration using voltammetry of microparticles.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsOrtiz-Miranda, AS
Secondary AuthorsDoménech-Carbó, A
Tertiary AuthorsDoménech-Carbó, MT
Subsidiary AuthorsL. Cortina, O
JournalHeritage Science
Volume5
Issue8
Start Page1
Type of ArticleResearch article
Other Numbershttps://rdcu.be/b4mR0
KeywordsBiodeterioration, Cadmium sulfide, Egg tempera, Egg-oil emulsion, Electrochemistry, Verdigris
Abstract

It is reported the application of the voltammetry of microparticles (VMP), complemented with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques, to monitor the deterioration of verdigris pictorial specimens under the action of different biological agents. This methodology would be of application for identifying the type of biological agent causing deterioration of paintings, which is an important problem affecting cultural heritage. The analysis of biodeterioration processes is complicated by the fact that the action of microorganisms can affect both pigment and binding media. The deterioration of pictorial specimens combining verdigris with egg and egg–linseed oil binders by Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, Acremonium chrysogenum, Trychoderma pseudokoningi and Mucor rouxii fungi and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Arthrobacter oxydans and Streptomyces cellulofans bacteria were tested using sample-modified graphite electrodes immersed into aqueous electrolytes. A model is presented to describe the involved electrochemistry resulting in specific voltammetric features for the electrochemical reduction of verdigris associated to the proteinaceous and lipidic fractions of the binders. The experimental results and model proposed have been discussed and compared with those previously obtained for cadmium yellow reconstructed paint film specimens.

DOI10.1186/s40494-017-0121-x