Philippine E-Journals

A Non-Invasive Technique for Fungal Growth Control on a Mural Painting

Jenibel N. Paray | Paul John Cabigon | Robyne Mae Delos Reyes | Romeric Pobre

 

Abstract:

A non-invasive technique was demonstrated in controlling the growth of three fungi species (Alternaria sp., Geotrichum sp. and Paecilomyces sp.) found on the mural painting of Vicente Manansala. Exploiting the resonant DNA length of these fungi, we were able to tune the pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) to debilitate the growth of these fungi cultured on petri dish exposed at different time intervals. Results showed significant decrease in fungal growth if treated at three-minute and ten-minute exposure time. This work can be extended to oil, water, or charcoal painting sample media to address permanent discoloration called foxing.