Changes of distribution over the past two centuries in the northern Andes.

The genus is important for humanity due to its ethnobotanical properties, and in particular its ability to prevent and treat malaria. However, there have been historical changes of distribution in the tropical Andes that remain undocumented. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, several explorers recorded precise localities in present-day Colombia and Ecuador, countries which harbour about half of the species of the genus, including .

Preventing fungal growth on heritage paper with antifungal and cellulase inhibiting magnesium oxide nanoparticles.

Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae and moulds are highly proficient at colonizing artistic and architectural heritage. The irreparable damage they cause to unique artefacts results in immeasurable cultural and societal losses to our shared cultural heritage, which represent an important social and economic resource for Europe. With the overall aim of preventing fungal deterioration of paper artefacts, we report the use of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) of average diameter 12 nm as potent antifungal agents against fungi commonly found colonising paper heritage: A.