Introducción al biodeterioro Dennis Allsopp, Kenneth Seal, Christine Gaylarde Translation of Introduction to Biodeterioration, 2nd edn. The Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, 2004. Translated by D.A. Moren

Nicole Skinner

Skinner, Nicole

Hemeroteca Cientifica Catalana

BOOK REVIEWSINTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY (2008) 11:293-295ISSN: 1139-6709 www.im.microbios.org Introducción albiodeterioroDENNIS ALLSOPPKENNETH SEALCHRISTINE GAYLARDE2008, Editorial AcribiaZaragoza, Spain240 pp, 17 × 24 cmPrice: 30 €ISBN: 978-84-200-1112-7Translation of Introduction to Biodeterioration, 2nd edn. ThePress Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge,UK, 2004. Translated by D.A. Moreno.For the past 40 years, we have been using H.J. Hueck’s defini-tion of biodeterioration as “any undesirable change in the prop-erties of a material caused by the vital activities of organisms”,materials being “any form of matter ... used by humankind”.Introducción al biodeterioro is the Spanish translation of thesecond edition of a unique book on this subject, Introduction tobiodeterioration, by Dennis Allsopp, Kenneth Seal and Chris-tine Gaylarde. The excellent translation has been made by Prof.Diego A. Moreno, from the Technical University of Madrid,president of the Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Group ofthe Spanish Society for Microbiology. This book is a broad overview of many different facets ofbiodeterioration, and it consist of six chapters. Chapter 1, theintroductory chapter, begins by defining biodeterioration and theoften associated term of biodegradation. It includes a classifica-tion of the physical, mechanical, chemical, and aesthetic alter-ations (fouling or soiling) that may take place. The core of thebook is made up by the following three chapters, divided accord-ing to the different types of materials that can undergo biodete-rioration. Causal agents (such as bacteria, fungi, algae, lichens,insects and other invertebrates, birds, mammals and plants) arelargely covered and further indexed at the end of the book. Chapter 2 focuses on natural materials. The first examplesthat come to mind are the problems that might arise with food-stuffs and stored agricultural products, but the chapter also dis-cusses the biodeterioration of cellulosics such as wood, textilesand paper, animal products such as leather, wool and fur, andeven stonework. Chapter 3 discusses the biodeterioration ofrefined and processed materials, explaining the degradation ofmany synthetic materials such as paint, adhesives, plastics,lubricants and fuels, synthetic rubbers, plastics, cosmetics, phar-maceuticals, metals and magnetic media. Chapter 4 deals withbuilt environments: structures, systems, and transportation infra-structure. In most cases, problems arise from the variety ofmaterials involved and the uses to which they are put. Examplesare housing or historical and cultural buildings, and museums inparticular, since they are places where special attention must begiven to the objects deposited there for conservation. In general,these three chapters show the extent of biodegradation and itsimpact on everyday life. The whole book, particularly Chapter 3,is well illustrated with diagrams, chemical formulas, and photo-graphs, most of which were taken by the book’s authors to showthe effects of biodegradation on a range of materials. The book stresses that cases of biodeterioration must first berecognized as such in order to establish the ways such damagecan be controlled and prevented. Chapter 5, on investigative bio-deterioration, reviews the four stages in tackling a biodeteriora-tion problem—determining the cause, evaluating the possiblecontrol systems, establishing the most appropriate control sys-tem, and monitoring its success. Included in the discussion arethe new genetic and molecular techniques that have been incor-porated into the conservator’s toolkit. Finally, Chapter 6 takes abroader view of the control of biodeterioration, covering themost common physical, chemical and biological techniques andemphasizing related regulatory, environmental and safety issues. To keep the book as clear and concise as possible, the editorshave purposely avoided the use of references in the text, andhave instead created a list of useful websites, references and rec-ommended reading at the end of each chapter. The book alsoincludes many tables that summarize the information in eachsection. As the title clearly states, the book is meant as a basic intro-duction to this subject, to show some of the interactions betweenliving organisms and the materials we use as seen through thelenses of environmental biology, materials science and ecology.In their preface to the second edition, the authors hope “that itwill contribute to greater awareness of and interest in the topic,particularly for students and others beginning to explore thisimportant and diverse field.” Given the straightforward lan-guage and explanations, as well as some of the fascinating exam-ples that can be found within its covers, I would also recommendthis book to anyone who might be curious about biodegradation asa subject whose interest to humankind dates back to our earliestuse, manipulation and possession of materials.NICOLE SKINNERINTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGYnskinner@microbios.org

Introducción al biodeterioro

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