Microbial environmental monitoring of the refectory in the monastery of St. Anna in Foligno, Italy

For the preservation of monuments and sites of cultural heritage, microbiological methods based on defined standards are needed to evaluate the problems associated with biodeterioration. In this study Microbial Environmental Monitoring (MAM from the Italian acronym Monitoraggio Ambientale Microbico) was applied to air and surface monitoring of art works before and during restoration. Microbial monitoring of the refectory in the monastery of St. Anna (Foligno, Italy) was performed on frescos from 1400. The results obtained with MAM were consistent, reproducible, and beneficial in the evaluation of the efficacy of restoration. Microbial monitoring of solid surfaces using membrane filters was not destructive and allowed the study of microbial fall-out on the surface of art works. The application of MAM proved to be a valuable means not only for monitoring but also for a better understanding of microbial pollution and its dynamics on the surface of art works. The constant application of MAM could be a valuable tool in the preservation of cultural heritage through strict collaboration with microbiologists, restorers, and authorities.