Biodeterioration of majolica glazed tiles by the fungus Devriesia imbrexigena
The article investigates the fungal bioreceptivity and biodeterioration of historical glazed tiles, focusing on the influence of ageing on these processes. Two sets of tile models, pristine and artificially aged, were subjected to a 12-month laboratory colonization experiment with fungal inoculation. The study revealed the formation of biogenic calcium oxalate compounds as a result of fungal biodeterioration, with no correlation found between bioreceptivity and ageing degree. The research employed digital image analysis to quantify fungal growth on the glazed tiles, showing slow colonization by Devriesia imbrexigena over the 12-month period.