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Mold Fungi Syncephalastrum contaminatum STG-160 and Cladosporium sphaerospermum STG-161 from 16 th century icon—Risks of Tempera Pigments Degradation
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Researchers studied two mold fungi found growing on a 16th century Russian painted icon, testing how well each tolerated metal ions found in pigments like iron, zinc, cobalt, and cadmium. One fungus, Syncephalastrum contaminatum, had genes for extracting iron from certain pigments, while the other, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, did not; the two fungi showed different sensitivities to the metals tested.
Abstract Many art works, especially tempera paintings on wood, like a "layer cake"—contain a rich organic (animal glues, binders, plasticizers, resins, plant-based pigments) and inorganic components (mineral and synthetic pigments)—all of which can serve as an excellent nutrient medium for mold fungi. As mycelial hyphae grow into the organic "framework," pigment particles become trapped within the growth zone. As it turns out, not all the pigments are equally vulnerable to fungal damage. In the current study, the IC 50 for Fe 3+ , Zn 2+ , Co 2+ , and Cd 2+ was identified for two mold fungi isolated on the 16th century Russian icon “Descent into Hell”: Syncephalastrum contaminatum STG-160 (4.26, 10.8, 0.22, and 0 mmol/L, correspondingly), and for Cladosporium sphaerospermum STG-161 (0.81, 2.16, 0.11, and 0.017 mmol/L, correspondingly). Filamentous fungus S. contaminatum STG-160 demonstrated robust tolerance to Fe 3+ , Zn 2+ , and high sensitivity to Cd 2+ , while melanotic fungus C. sphaerospermum STG-161 exhibited resistance to Cd 2+ . Whole-genome sequencing of the two fungi revealed two gene clusters in S. contaminatum STG-160 in regions 30.1 and 67.1, responsible for the synthesis of siderophores capable of supplying the cell with vital Fe 2+ by chelating relatively inert Fe 3+ from ochres, siennas, red, brown, and green earth pigments. No siderophores were detected in C. sphaerospermum STG-161. The combined results of both in situ experiment on mock layers and in vitro tolerance testing to certain heavy metal ions allow to identify pigment areas within tempera paintings that require more thorough treatment with biocides for enhancing their aesthetic value and ensuring appropriate conditions for display and storage.
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