Microbiological Analysis of Surfaces of Leonardo Da Vinci’sAtlantic Codex: Biodeterioration Risk

International Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1155/2014/214364 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gianfranco Tarsitani ◽

Catia Moroni ◽

Francesca Cappitelli ◽

Giovanna Pasquariello ◽

Oriana Maggi

Keyword(s):

Water Content ◽

Da Vinci ◽

Leonardo Da Vinci ◽

Microbiological Analysis ◽

Noninvasive Method ◽

Biological Origin ◽

Microbiological Techniques ◽

Microclimatic Conditions ◽

Bacteria And Fungi ◽

Microbial Agents

Following the discovery of discoloration on some pages of theAtlantic 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 ofACis not related to the presence or current attack of microbial agents.

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Replication of Internal Biological Surfaces

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100094802 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 308-309

Author(s):

J. A. Nowell ◽

J. Pangborn ◽

W. S. Tyler

Keyword(s):

Da Vinci ◽

Leonardo Da Vinci ◽

Rat Lung ◽

Tubular Structures ◽

Cerebral Ventricles ◽

Internal Surfaces ◽

Biological Surfaces ◽

Dog Kidney ◽

Lung And Kidney ◽

Scanning Electron

Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century, used injection replica techniques to study internal surfaces of the cerebral ventricles. Developments in replicating media have made it possible for modern morphologists to examine injection replicas of lung and kidney with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Deeply concave surfaces and interrelationships to tubular structures are difficult to examine with the SEM. Injection replicas convert concavities to convexities and tubes to rods, overcoming these difficulties.Batson's plastic was injected into the renal artery of a horse kidney. Latex was injected into the pulmonary artery and cementex in the trachea of a cat. Following polymerization the tissues were removed by digestion in concentrated HCl. Slices of dog kidney were aldehyde fixed by immersion. Rat lung was aldehyde fixed by perfusion via the trachea at 30 cm H2O. Pieces of tissue 10 x 10 x 2 mm were critical point dried using CO2. Selected areas of replicas and tissues were coated with silver and gold and examined with the SEM.

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