In Vitro Evaluation of MgB2 Powders as Novel Tools to Fight Fungal Biodeterioration of Heritage Buildings and Objects

The 17th–19th century wooden and stone churches are an iconic symbol for the Romanian national heritage, raising urgent needs development of efficient ecofriendly restoration preservation solutions. Nanotechnology has a great but largely unexplored potential in this field, providing new tools methods to achieve higher consolidation protection efficiency, mainly due ability nanoparticles inhibit growth metabolic activity different biodeteriorating agents, including fungi. purpose present study was report first time on efficiency MgB 2 materials, prized their practical superconducting properties, against large collection filamentous fungal strains recently isolated from biodeteriorated heritage objects. Four types powders, with crystallite size 42–113 nm, were tested by qualitative (on 149 strains) quantitative 87 assays. cytotoxicity evaluated microscopic analysis SiHa cells morphology Hep2 cell cycle ecotoxicity Allium test. belonged 11 genera, those mural paintings objects exhibited best capacity colonize inert substratum. All powders similar relatively low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values Aspergillus Penicillium isolates, which predominated among isolates. From PVZ CERAC proved be more wood while LTS active colonizing museum results indicated that toxic human at than 50 µg/ml, but, however, very short lifetime these NPs prevents accumulation natural environment and, thus, occurrence effects. antifungal concentrations, as suggested phytotoxicity test results. Taken together, our suggest materials environmentally safe substances, can used control material cultural biodeterioration process.