Wood distillate as an alternative bio-based product against lichens on sandstone

The use of traditional biocides to halt or reduce biodeterioration is increasingly deterred, due risks for human health and the environment, as well potential interference with stone materials. Alternative eco-friendly substances are needed limit these issues. Here we aim evaluate devitalization lichens by a new bio-based product: wood distillate (also known pyroligneous acid), by-product plant biomass produce bioenergy pyrolysis without addition synthetic chemicals. We compared cellulose poultice applications at concentration 10% two common chemical against four epilithic lichen species on Pietra Serena, sandstone widely used in Europe. efficiency was measured terms vitality expressed chlorophyll fluorescence emission FV/FM F0. Furthermore, evaluated effects physical properties material relevance its conservation, including colour, resistance dissolution, surface hardness. Wood effective devitalizing thalli did not cause any relevant assayed sandstone, although limited dissolution calcite cement detected.