Antifungal effects of some plant essential oils on microcolonial fungi that caused degradation of historical artworks in the ancient cities of Myra and Andriake

This study was carried out to determine the antifungal effects of some plant essential oils on the development of microcolonial fungi that cause deterioration in historical artifacts in Myra and Andriake, two ancient cities in Demre district of Antalya province. The field studies of the thesis were carried out between 2020-2023, and the plant species to be examined in terms of their antifungal effects are; S. dorystoechas B.T. Drew (Syn: Dorystaechas hastata Boiss. ve Heldr. Ex Benth (thyme) (Lamiaceae), Sideritis congesta P. H. Davis & Hub.-Mor. (virgo tea) (Lamiaceae), Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort) (Hypericaceae) and Aloysia citriodora Palau (lemon grass) (Verbenaceae). In the ancient cities of Myra and Andriake, which are very important for the cultural heritage of our country, microcolonial fungi that cause color change, crater-shaped pits, flaking and swelling in historical artifacts were isolated and propagated under in vitro conditions and selected plant essential oils were used in three different concentrations (0.1%, 1%, 3%), its effect on both infected stone samples and fungal cultures has been demonstrated. In the samples taken from thirty different points where infection occurred in the ancient cities of Myra and Andriake; species belonging to the Sarcinomyces, Capnobotryella, Cladosporium and Coniosporium genera were found, and the essential oils obtained from the S. dorystoechas and H. perforatum were found on Sarcinomyces, Capnobotryella and Coniosporium; It has been determined that the essential oil obtained from the S. congesta has a strong antifungal effect when applied in high concentrations on Sarcinomyces and weakens the development of fungal species. Low doses of essential oil of A. citriodora showed antifungal activity on Sarcinomyces species. It has been observed that the high concentration of essential oil obtained from the S. Dorystoechas, positively affects the development of Cladosporium species.