Biodeterioration results from complex interactions between living organisms and various organic and inorganic substrates, which cause physical and chemical changes on the substrate. These changes are strongly related to the metabolic activities of living organisms. Finding a proper approach against biodeterioration is often difficult, and requires understanding the type of changes and used methods, which should be not harmful for artworks, human health and the environment. In this this article, Reliable databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science were used for information gathering. Physical, mechanical and chemical methods are used to control biodeterioration. Synthetic chemical biocides are often used, but due to their toxicity and environmental hazards, their use is now restricted. New researches focus on alternative solutions with minimal adverse effects. Plants contain natural chemical compounds such as essential oils, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, tannins, etc., which are commonly used as drugs, bioactive molecules and nutrients. This study aims to review existing research on the effect of plant essential oils on biodeteriogenic microorganisms of cultural heritage.

Valuable cultural heritage is always exposed to the invasion of biological agents and the resulting destruction, especially when the physical and chemical conditions of the work and its surrounding environment are compatible with the characteristics of an organism or a microorganism. Therefore, preventing the occurrence of such conditions and limiting the invasion of biological agents should be among the main and primary goals of every center. Over the years, various methods such as the use of disinfectants have been used to control biological agents in various historical and cultural collections. With the passage of time and increasing awareness of the harmful effects of these substances on the treated works, the environment and the users, nowadays the use of non-toxic alternative methods is more recommended. Experience has shown that the method that causes the least damage to collections and employees is preventive methods and regular control, which is possible through monitoring and managing the environment. Integrated pest management with the ultimate goal of removing harmful biological agents from a place is one of the long-term preventives and non-toxic methods of controlling biological agents that is used in many museums, archives, and libraries. In this article, along with a brief overview of biological deterioration and its preventive and control strategies, microbiological monitoring of the air inside 4 storerooms in the world heritage complex of Golestan Palace Museum including: the anthropological clothing, the manuscripts, the carpets, and the Painting storerooms was carried out. For this purpose, air sampling was done by sedimentation method and isolated microbial colonies on the culture media were investigated and identified. The results of the microbiological monitoring of the air inside the storerooms in this study showed that except for the carpet storeroom, other studied storerooms, including the anthropological clothing, the manuscript and the painting storerooms, are acceptable in terms of the number of microorganisms in the air.