A Novel Comparative Review between Chemical, Natural Essential Oils and Physical (Ozone) Conservation of Archaeological Objects against Microbial Deterioration

Abstract

All museums, especially those showing archaeological exhibits, confront numerous challenges in preventing microbial damage, and thus every effort should be made to conserve these building materials and pass them down to future generations. Archeological artifacts are a significant element of the world's cultural legacy. Microbial activity's impact on cultural asset deterioration is a global issue, and disinfecting them over time is a difficult undertaking. A novel comparative review between chemical, natural essential oils, and physical (ozone) conservation of archaeological objects against microbial deterioration was investigated. The chemical preservation of archaeological items can result in degradation (erosion and surface damage), as well as a risk to human health and the environment. Ozonation can be used to successfully reduce microbial burdens. Because of its great oxidizing strength and spontaneous decomposition, ozone may eventually replace chemical sanitizers as a typical sanitizing agent. As a result, new ecologically friendly safe natural essential oils methods for protecting archaeological artifacts are required to prevent them from microbial deterioration. The use of essential oils is esthetically acceptable for disinfection with negligible toxicity to humans and the environment, ensuring a good quality of life for employees and users for the preservation of cultural assets is the study's key recommendation.

Keywords:

• Archeological objects
• bacteria
• chemicals
• essential oil
• fungi
• microbial deterioration
• ozone

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).