Page 18 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2024

Unveiling the microbiome on building materials
in the coastal city of Izola

Ana Gubenšek *, Anja Černoša , Faksawat Poohphajai 1,2,3 , Wojciech Pajerski ,
1
1
1,2
Valentina Hribljan , Karen Butina Ogorelec , Anna Sandak 1,4
1,2
1
1 InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, 6310 Izola, Slovenia, ana.gubensek@innorenew.eu, anja.cernosa@innorenew.eu,
faksawat.poohphajai@innorenew.eu, wojciech.pajerski@innorenew.eu, valentina.hribljan@innorenew.eu, karen.butina@innorenew.eu,
anna.sandak@innorenew.eu
2 Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenia, ana.gubensek@iam.upr.si, faksawat.poohphajai@iam.upr.si,
karen.butina@iam.upr.si
3 Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, 00076 Aalto, Finland,
faksawat.poohphajai@aalto.f
4 Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia,
anna.sandak@famnit.upr.si
* Corresponding author

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in our environment; some of them cause deterioration of building materials,
while others offer their protection. Understanding the diversity and functionality of these microorganisms is
crucial for the research and development of bioinspired solutions to improve the durability and performance
of building materials. As part of the ARCHI-SKIN project, environmental sampling was conducted in Izola with
public engagement to collect diverse microbial samples. Three locations (Sports Ground Livade Jagodje, San
Simon Bay, and the Old Town of Izola) were strategically selected for swabbing different surfaces and collecting
air samples.

The aim of this work is to identify naturally occurring microorganisms, specifically fungi and bacteria, in these
environments. Samples were collected using a wet-swab technique on both porous materials (wood, concrete,
stone, brick) and non-porous materials (metal, plastic) at each location. The swabs were smeared on four different
media types (MEACh, MEA, DG18, and LB) and incubated at 25°C. Further, 100 L of air was filtered onto the

mentioned agar media at each location. After one week, photographs of the growth on petri dishes were taken,

and representative fungal and bacterial cultures were purified for further analysis and identification.
The results revealed a high microbial diversity on all selected material surfaces and in the air. The collection
of isolates included various bacterial species, a broad spectrum of yeasts, including Aureobasidium spp., and
filamentous fungi, including Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Alternaria spp., commonly found in nature.

These findings highlight the rich microbial diversity surrounding us and emphasise the potential for utilising

naturally occurring microorganisms in bioinspired approaches to more sustainable architecture.

Keywords: fungi, bacteria, materials, bioinspiration, environment

Acknowledgment: The authors gratefully acknowledge receiving funding from the European Union (ERC,
ARCHI-SKIN, #101044468). Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do

not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European
Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

18 11–12 SEPTEMBER 2024 I IZOLA, SLOVENIA