Sustained protection of stone cultural relics: Utilizing antiviral oseltamivir to effectively eliminate lichen and diseases on artifacts

Saxicolous lichens, which colonize rock substrates, play a major role in the deterioration of stone cultural relics. Traditional biocides, including antibiotics and antifungal agents, pose risks of resistance development and biofouling, underscoring the need for effective and a long-term treatment against biodeterioration. In this study, we discovered a novel double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus, Pyxine petricola partitivirus 1 (PpPV1), in saxicolous lichens collected from the fallen stones of the Niujiaozhai grottoes in Sichuan Province, China. This virus was found in 70.2% of saxicolous lichens from a global sample of 118 lichens, including those from notable sites, including Angkor sandstone monuments in Cambodia and the Great Wall of China. We developed a biocide strategy using the antiviral oseltamivir, which significantly reduced the viral loading and the photosynthetic activity of the lichen-forming algae, impairing lichen functionality. This innovative approach not only offers a novel method for protecting stone cultural relics but also contributes to both biocontrol and heritage conservation by safeguarding against viral pathogens and mitigating the biological damage caused by lichens. • PpPV1 prevalence (70.2%) in global saxicolous lichens, including Angkor Wat and Great Wall. • Viral particles localized in lichen fungi via TEM-immunofluorescence. • Oseltamivir disrupts viral load and algal photosynthesis, enabling lichen biodeterioration control.