title: Microbiological Analysis of Surfaces of Leonardo Da Vinci's Atlantic Codex: Biodeterioration Risk.
abstract: Following the discovery of discoloration on some pages of the Atlantic Codex (AC) of Leonardo da Vinci kept in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, some investigations have been carried out to verify the presence of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. To verify the presence of microorganisms a noninvasive method of sampling has been used that was efficient and allowed us to highlight the microbial facies of the material that was examined using conventional microbiological techniques. The microclimatic conditions in the storage room as well as the water content of the volume were also assessed. The combined observations allowed the conclusion that the discoloration of suspected biological origin on some pages of AC is not related to the presence or current attack of microbial agents.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-chirurgiche e Medicina Traslazionale, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4114-1929
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tarsitani
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Catia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, La Nutrizione e l'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1237-1813
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cappitelli
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Graphic Arts, MIBACT, Via della Stamperia 6, 00187 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasquariello
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Oriana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Maggi