Fungal and Bacterial Biodeterioration of Outdoor Canvas Paintings: The Case of the Cloisters of Quito, Ecuador

A study of outdoor canvas paintings in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quito, Ecuador, reveals significant fungal and bacterial biodeterioration, with species such as Bacillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Mucor, and Aspergillus identified as key agents. The research, conducted on five paintings from the cloisters of San Francisco, Santo Domingo, and Santa Clara, used traditional and biomolecular techniques to analyze microbial presence and conservation state. Climatic conditions in the San Francisco cloister were also assessed, highlighting problematic exhibition environments that accelerate artwork deterioration. The findings underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies to protect these culturally significant artworks.

Poyatos-Jiménez, F., Morales, F., Morales-Carrera, R., Boffo, S., Giordano, A., & Romero-Noguera, J. (2021). Fungal and Bacterial Biodeterioration of Outdoor Canvas Paintings: The Case of the Cloisters of Quito, Ecuador. Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression, 31(3), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1615/critreveukaryotgeneexpr.2021038254