The Efficiency of Biocidal Silica Nanosystems for the Conservation of Stone Monuments: Comparative In Vitro Tests against Epilithic Green Algae

In the last decade, worldwide research has focused on innovative natural biocides and development of organic inorganic nanomaterials for long-lasting reliability. this work, biocide effects two different encapsulated in silica nanosystems a multifunctional coating have been performed through vitro tests, by using Chlorococcum sp. as common stone biodeteriogen. Zosteric sodium salt (ZS), green biocide, was compared with commercial 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), widely used treatment cultural heritage. The analyzed systems are following: nanocapsules (NC) nanoparticles (MNP) not loaded biocides, ZS MBT, free biocides. qualitative quantitative evaluations efficiency were periodically, analyzing pigment autofluorescence to discriminate between active inactive/dead cells. analyses showed multiple differences. All nanocontainers presented an initial reduction chlorophyll’s autofluorescence. For results highlighted higher MBT than ZS. Finally, activity product, better MNP comparison NC.