In recent years, attention has been paid to finding eco-friendly products that could represent an alternative for the chemicals usually used during conservation procedures. In the field of the devitalization of biological patinas, the most studied products are essential oils (EOs). Several works tested EOs in vitro on microorganisms isolated from stone artifacts but few applied these products on real artworks colonized by a complex patina. In the present work, the biocidal effect of two EOs (cinnamon bark and oregano) and two EO-based products (Biotersus and Essenzio) was compared to that of three chemical biocides commonly used in the conservation of stone artifacts (Biotin R1+R2, NewDes50, and Preventol RI50). The products were applied by brush in situ on a marble slab characterized by a green patina. The biocidal activity was evaluated by analyzing the chlorophyll fluorescence and quantifying ATP through biochemical tests. Furthermore, the products’ interference with stone was evaluated by colorimetric measures on sedimentary rock samples. The results indicate that chemical biocides exhibited biocidal activity of greater than 99.5% with a single application, while cinnamon oil (at a 1% concentration) and Essenzio required two applications to achieve the same level of efficacy. Conversely, oregano oil and Biotersus were not able to effectively reduce microorganism vitality, even with repeated applications.

This work aimed to assess the potential efficacy of a novel polysaccharides-based extract as a green consolidant for the pictorial layer on marble substrates. Understanding its properties could lead to determining whether it can ensure the correct conservation and transmission of the cultural heritage. Four different types of marble specimens were prepared with paint based on malachite (egg, tempera grassa, rabbit glue, and linseed oil as binders). Colorimetric analyses, peeling tests, SEM-EDS, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to test the properties of the consolidant. Results reveal that no aesthetic changes occur when using the extract on painted surfaces and that the cohesive properties of most pictorial films increase after its application, confirming the consolidating effect. In conclusion, the use of an innovative green product for the restoration of marble-painted surfaces can be considered a possible good solution for consolidating treatment. Through this initial explorative research, we suggest an innovative approach to the protection of cultural heritage that doesn’t cause harm to both the restorer’s health and the environment.

This study investigates the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool to evaluate the environmental performance of innovative methodologies in cultural heritage conservation. Three categories of restoration treatments were analyzed: disinfection of stone surfaces, consolidation of degraded organic materials, and dry cleaning of metal surfaces. For each category, experimental or alternative conservation solutions were compared with conventional commercial or artificial products, focusing exclusively on environmental impacts rather than technical performance. The results highlight significant variability across treatments. In stone disinfection, the biological approach based on Serratia ficaria SH7 shows a substantially lower environmental impact compared to the synthetic biocide Preventol RI50. In contrast, the consolidation scenario reveals a more complex pattern: crystalline nanocellulose demonstrates low impacts when water-based, but its environmental performance worsens considerably when organic solvents are used, in some cases exceeding that of the synthetic resin Plexisol P550. For dry cleaning, all tested eraser formulations exhibit relatively low impacts, although silicone-based systems outperform latex-based alternatives due to reduced material consumption. Beyond comparative results, the study critically examines methodological limitations of LCA in conservation contexts, including data asymmetry between laboratory-scale and industrial processes, sensitivity to modelling assumptions, and restricted system boundaries. The findings demonstrate that environmental performance depends not only on material origin but also on formulation, energy use, and operational conditions. Overall, LCA proves to be a valuable but context-dependent decision-support tool, requiring transparent assumptions and careful interpretation to effectively guide sustainable practices in cultural heritage conservation.

This chapter addresses the consolidation of silicate-based building materials such as adobe, mud brick, mosaic soil, cob, and others, by exploring the pozzolanic reaction between silica and calcium hydroxide nanoparticles, which may favor the in-situ formation of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). The contribution reports on the characterization of the investigated systems and their application on mud-brick mock-up samples to demonstrate the consolidation effect. A significant case-study, where a floor mosaic soil required consolidation, is also reported. The comparison with other traditional products used to this purpose clearly show the potential impact of this new formulation.