Željko SavkovićUniversity of Belgrade · Faculty of Biology
Željko Savković
PhD in Biology - Research Associate
About
39
Publications
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187
Citations
Citations since 2017
Introduction
Publications
Publications (39)
The antifungal activities of Origanum vulgare essential oil (EO) and of a biocide based on silver and hydrogen peroxide (Sanosil S003) against seven Aspergillus species isolated from different substrata
(stone, brick, silk and paper) of cultural heritage objects in Serbia were evaluated. Microdilution, agar dilution and microatmosphere methods were...
Biodeterioration caused by fungal colonizers on an ancient stone stela, excavated from the former Roman settlement (Eastern Serbia) was investigated. According to selected biodeterioration elements, average deterioration index was assessed (0.8), prompting the need for conservation. Fungal somatic and reproductive structures, along with lichen thal...
The study addresses in vitro degradation potential of airborne Aspergillus and Penicillium/Talarmyces species originating from cultural heritage conservation premises. A series of rapid, cost effective biodegradation assays were performed to assess production of extracellular pigments, acids, and enzymes. Most of the isolates have demonstrated posi...
An extensive aeromycological survey was performed in the premises of a cultural heritage conservation facility to estimate fungal propagule concentrations in both indoor and outdoor air and seasonal dynamics with regard to temperature and air humidity. The highest average propagule concentration in indoor air was documented in spring, and for outdo...
A rare basidiomycete Quambalaria cyanescens, documented so far on various
substrates worldwide, was isolated from the skin of edible frog (Pelophylax
esculentus) captured in South Banat. The fungal identification was based on
sequencing of ITS region and BLAST analyses. The presence of Q. cyanescens
in the amphibian skin microbiome is not only the...
The principal aim of this study was to determine bacterial diversity within the Cave Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, via culturable and non-culturable approaches, and elucidate the antifungal potential of autochthonous antagonistic bacterial isolates against biodeteriogenic fungi. Furthermore, whole-genome sequencing of selected bacterial antagonist...
Fungi can colonize organic matter present in subterranean sites and have a significant role as dwellers in different microniches of cave habitats. In order to analyze the content of airborne fungal propagules in different parts of “Stopića Cave”, a touristic site in Serbia, air sampling was carried out in three seasons during 2020, prior to and dur...
Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces species are frequently cited as
contaminants of various substrata and are often associated with indoor
environments. The main purpose of this study was to assess the potential
pathogenicity of aerosol-derived fungi from Aspergillus, Penicillium and
Talaromyces genera, isolated in the rooms for conservation...
The fungal community of biodeteriorated 17th century mural paintings within
the nave and altar portion of the old Church of the Holy Ascension (Veliki
Krčimir, Nišava District, Serbia) has been studied via an array of
microscopic analyses in order to detect actively growing fungi and assess
their potential damage to the painted layer and mortar. In...
The mycobiome of the cave Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, housing the peculiar fresco painting of “The Bald-headed Jesus”, was analyzed via culture-dependent and -independent methods. Salt efflorescence, colored patinas, and biofilm, as well as biopitting, discolorations, and fruiting bodies of wood-decay fungi were observed on surfaces within the c...
In the last several decades, amphibian populations have been declining worldwide. Many factors have been linked to global amphibian decline, including habitat destruction, pollution, introduced species, global environmental changes, and emerging infectious diseases. Recent studies of amphibian skin infections were mainly focused on the presence of...
Fungi and bacteria are among the most frequently encountered microbiome constituents of the nutrient-rich amphibians’ integument. Mycological analyses of the integument of the water green frogs from the Pelophylax esculentus complex were conducted in three localities in the region of the South Banat District where all three taxa (P. ridibundus, P....
When an archaeological site is roofed over for the better display of the finds and more comfortable experience of the audience, the intervention undoubtedly changes the microclimatic conditions in the site. Although sudden changes in microclimatic factors are known to damage and/or destroy archaeological finds, their impact and its analysis are neg...
Formation of secondary mycogenic minerals, a phenomenon often reported on artworks, is heavily associated with both structural and aesthetic alterations of affected masterpieces. The aim of this study was to investigate capabilities of airborne Aspergillus and Penicillium species, common contaminants of works of art, to induce mineral formation in...
For the purpose of this paper, the actual air temperature and air humidity values were monitored in the Visitor Centre of the Archaeological site 1a Imperial Palace Sirmium, designated cultural heritage of exceptional importance. The contamination level of archaeological finds in the site was microbiologically analysed. The findings showed that dur...
Significant percent of world cultural heritage artifacts is threatened by fungal infestation. Fungi can deteriorate different substrates via various physical and chemical mechanisms. Hyphal growth and penetration into the substrate can cause symptoms like discoloration, biopitting, cracking, exfoliation and patina formation. On the other hand, chem...
Pears are one of the oldest and the third most important fruit species grown in temperate regions. They are consumed because of their nutritional and health benefits, in fresh form or as various processed products. This paper resolves the etiology of the Penicillium-like mold symptoms on pear fruits in Serbia. Samples of pear fruits with blue mold...
The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of glandular trichomes and essential oil composition of Lamium purpureum L. (Lamiaceae) and to determine potential biological activities of its different extracts. The micromorphology and distribution of trichomes on vegetative plant parts were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (S...
Members of the millipede order Julida rely on dominantly quinonic defensive secretions with several minor, non-quinonic components. The free radical-scavenging activities of ethanol, methanol, hexane, and dichloromethane extracts of defensive secretions emitted by Pachyiulus hungaricus (Karsch, 1881) and Megaphyllum unilineatum (C. L. Koch, 1838) w...
Millipedes (Diplopoda) of the order Julida are known to produce mixtures of quinones
(usually as dominant compounds), phenolics, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, ketones, and
anthranilate derivatives as agents of antipredator defense. Apart from the mentioned role,
data on other biological activities of these secretions are scarce. Being soil organisms...
The aim of this research was to isolate and identify the fungi from
petroleum-contaminated soil, to test their ability to grow in the presence
of diesel fuel and uptake it in solid and broth media. Among 16 isolated and
identified filamentous fungi, six were tested to determine their growth on
media enriched with diesel fuel as a sole carbon source...
Non-harmful adhesive tape method was applied directly on the skin surface of
edible frog (Pelophylax kl. esculentus), captured in vernal ponds on the
locality “Stevanove ravnice” within the Special Nature Reserve „Deliblatska
peščara“, in order to detect fungal dwellers of frogs’ skin. Light
microscopy analyses of Lactophenol Cotton Blue mounted ad...
Present study addresses potential of fungal strains, isolated from deteriorated mural paintings and surrounding air environment of the Church of the Holy Ascension in Veliki Krčimir (Serbia), to precipitate mycogenic minerals, when cultivated on agarized B4 medium. Utilizing culture-based isolation methods, 38 filamentous fungi were obtained in tot...
Antifungal activity of commercial sample of Boswellia carteri essential oil against selected micromycetes was evaluated in vitro using a microatmosphere method. When compared with biocide Sanosil S003, used as positive control, the tested essential oil showed moderate antifungal activity. The most susceptible fungi to oil treatment were Stachybotry...
Fungal deterioration of frescoes was studied
in situ
on a selected Serbian church, and on a laboratory model, utilizing standard and newly implemented microscopy techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray confirmed the limestone components of the plaster. Pigments used were identified as carbon black, green earth, i...
Diversity of phyllosphere microfungi of two Eucalypti species (E. camaldulensis and E. globulus) was investigated using moist chamber method. A total of 19 different taxa of phyllosphere microfungal community were identified in leaves and seed bearing capsules. Aspergillus niger was the most frequent isolate in both investigated Eucalyptus species...
Projects
Projects (3)
The principal aim of the project PROTECTA is to study the causes of the decay of several selected cultural heritage objects in Serbia, and development of novel non-invasive, eco-friendly and safe natural biocontrol method to combat deteriogenic microorganisms responsible for the observed damages, all in order to achieve a sustainable restoration and conservation of deteriorated artwork in Serbia. This will be achieved in cooperation with a team of experts from various cultural institutions via implementation of traditional (sterile swabs, adhesive tape method, etc.) and contemporary (in situ microscopy, ATP bioluminescence method, etc.) methods to study biodeterioration phenomena on investigated works of art, and through screening for novel antimicrobial agents of plant and bacterial origin in vitro, their chemical and molecular characterization, isolation of target compounds of interest and testing potential in situ applicability of new biocide formulations on artificially prepared “mock models” that emulate “real life scenarios”. Additional aim of the project will be the development and implementation of new study protocol to be used in conservation practices and its dissemination to relevant cultural institutions, scientific community involved in “biodeterioration science” and conservation science, as well as general public, with aim of improvement of cultural heritage safeguard and increasing awareness of this still neglected aspect of the “trade”. As such, project PROTECTA fits perfectly with the Program for Excellent Projects of Young Researchers since it promotes science that is neglected in Serbia but very trendy worldwide, which will result in a formation of new research groups, involvement of numerous young researchers into multidisciplinary teams trained in collaboration with the experts in the field, and their preparation to apply for and lead big European projects. For a country rich in cultural heritage, such as Serbia, this is of utmost importance.
The goal is characterization and application of fungal metabolites and determination of potential of new biofungicides
