The information on the advances and technology of some recent conservation methods (2020–2023) of organic and inorganic archaeological objects against microbial deterioration is recorded. An outline of comparative new protective methods for conserving plant-origin organic artefacts {Fibers (manuscripts, textile) and wood}, animal-origin organic artefacts (painting, parchment and mummies) and inorganic stone artefacts were investigated. The work not only contributes to the development of safe revolutionary ways for more efficient safe conservation of items of historical and cultural worth but also serves as a significant diagnostic signature for detecting the sorts of microbial identification and incidents in antiques. Biological technologies (environmentally friendly green biocides) are the most used recent, efficient and safe strategy acceptable as alternatives to stop microbial deterioration and prevent any potential interactions between the biological agent and the artefacts. Also, a synergistic effect of combining natural biocides with mechanical cleaning or chemical treatments was suggested. The recommended exploration techniques should be considered for future applications.

El Sawi, N.M., Geweely, N.S., Qusti, S., Mohamed, M. and Kamel, A. 2010. Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of Nerium oleander extracts. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 37: 25–31. The antimicrobial properties of the crude and pure extracts of Nerium oleander were investigated against three Gramve bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteritidis), three Gram +ve bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and six fungal species (Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium moniliforme, Penicillium expansum and Rhizopus oryzae). The crude extract of N. oleander was more effective than purified compound. The maximum antimicrobial activities (15 and 20 mm inhibition zone) was exhibited by the crude extract of N. oleander against the most sensitive isolates (B. subtilis and A. flavus), respectively, while all pure constituents showed trace to no antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. The lowest value (25 μg/ml) of minimum inhibitory concentration of the active crude extract of N. oleander was revealed with A. flavus.

The archeological objects constitute an important part of the worldwide cultural heritage. The impact of the fungal activity on the deterioration of cultural heritage is a global problem and their preservation over time is a challenging task. Antifungal activities of 12 essential oils (EOs) (black cumin, castor, cinnamon, clove, cumin, garlic, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, menthe, olive, and thyme) were examined against 16 fungal species isolated from three tested archaeological objects (wall painting stone, wooden statue, and pottery coffin) from Saqqara stores in Egypt. Molecular identification was carried out for the highly frequent species (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus and Rhizopus oryzae) in the three tested archaeological samples. Antifungal activity and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested EOs with different concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 μl/ml) were measured. The most efficient EOs were thyme (MIC ranged from 0.25–0.75μl/ml) followed by clove (MIC ranged from 0.25–1 μl/ml) and geranium, (MIC ranged from 0.5–1 μl/ml). Thymol (37.1%) and p-Cymene (26.32%) were the active constituents of thyme, while Triacetin (69.36%) and eugenol (28.67) were the most efficient components of clove oil followed by geranium active components (à-Citronellol 20.62% and Geraniol 14.43%). Aspergillus niger was the most resistance species, while Fusarium oxysporum and Penicilium citrinium were the most susceptible ones.

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.