BIOACTIVE MOLECULES FROM MARINE INVERTEBRATE ORGANISMS AS POTENTIAL TOOLS IN RESTORATION PROCEDURES

Abstract

In the last decades molecular biology has provided innovative approaches in order to set up specific protocols for the conservation and restoration of cultural assets. In this study, which falls within the so called field of Blue-biotechnology, new bio-reactive peptides isolated from marine invertebrate organisrns (Cnidaria and Molluscs) were tested aim to bio-cleaning (proteolytic- peptides) the surfaces or to control (antimicrobial-peptides) the colonization of historic-artistic manufacts by fungi or bacteria. Particularly, the proteolytic-peptides showed hydrolytic activity, specific for animal-glue, in a range of temperatures of 4-37°C; than acting without heating the surface, by a contro Iled procedure and avoiding damages to the constitutive materials, ali criteria required for conservation /restoration procedures. These hydrolases allow to carry out the removal of the protein layers in a controlled way, acting at the same temperature of the environment where the objects are restored (19-25.5 0C). lnstead, the antirnicrobial-peptides have been tested on a plethora of fungi and bacteria colonies and a specific activity, against Micrococcus spp., have been showed. We are testing the antimicrobial-peptides as a "biologica! biocide" in order to protect both organic and inorganic substrates. We hypothesize that the use of these molecules will give an important contribution to the development of innovative and efficient technologies concerning bio-cleaning and antimicrobial growth protocols, according to conservative restoration procedures.