Grime eating bacteria are the bacteria used in the process of artwork restoration.
The Archaeological Survey of India is looking for options to use these bacteria to restore the Taj Mahal as it is facing discoloration due to pollution.
Art restorers have usually employed chemical agents and, recently laser techniques, to remove dirt, oil, glue, or pollutants from monuments, stoneworks, and paintings.
However earlier micro-organisms have been used to protect the artistic heritage, eg- bacteria Desulfovibrio vulgaris to clean a marble monument at the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, US
