ABSTRACT
Paper-based works of art and documents of cultural importance kept in museums and libraries can show notorious signs of deterioration, including foxing stains, caused by fungal colonization. Some of the main chromophore agents of fungal origin that deteriorate paper and therefore affect paper cultural heritage both aesthetically and structurally are the group of pigments called melanins. Thus, knowledge of the diversity and features of fungal melanins and of the melanization pathways of fungi growing on paper is key to removing these pigments from paper-based works of cultural importance. This review provides an approach about the current knowledge of melanins synthesized by paper-colonizing fungi, their localization in the fungal structures, and their role in the deterioration of paper. This knowledge might contribute to developing new, effective, and sustainable strategies of restoration and conservation of historical documents and works of art based on paper.
Subject(s)
Art , Fungi/growth & development , Fungi/metabolism , Library Materials , Melanins/adverse effects , Melanins/metabolism , Paper , Museums , Pigments, Biological/adverse effects , Pigments, Biological/metabolismABSTRACT
Background. Biological agents, such as fungal spores in the air in places where scientific collections are stored, can attack and deteriorate them. Aims. The aim of this study was to gather information on the indoor air quality of the Herbarium of Vascular Plants of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata, Argentina, in relation to fungal propagules and inert particles. Methods. This study was made using a volumetric system and two complementary sampling methods: (1) a non-viable method for direct evaluation, and (2) a viable method by culture for viable fungal propagules. Results. The non-viable method led to ten spore morphotypes being found from related fungal sources. A total of 4401.88 spores/m3 and 32135.18 inert suspended particles/m3 were recorded. The viable method led to the finding of nine fungal taxa as viable spores that mostly belonged to anamorphic forms of Ascomycota, although the pigmented yeast Rhodotorula F.C. Harrison (Basidiomycota) was also found. A total count of 40,500 fungal CFU/m3 air was estimated for all the sites sampled. Conclusions. Both the non-viable and viable sampling methods were necessary to monitor the bio-aerosol load in the La Plata Herbarium. The indoor air of this institution seems to be reasonably adequate for the conservation of vascular plants due to the low indoor/outdoor index, low concentrations of air spores, and/or lack of indicators of moisture problems (AU)
Antecedentes. Los agentes biológicos, tales como las esporas fúngicas suspendidas en el aire, en sitios donde se conservan colecciones científicas, pueden dar lugar al ataque y deterioro de las mismas por los hongos. Objetivos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue proporcionar información acerca de la calidad del aire interior en el Herbario de Plantas Vasculares del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata, Argentina, en relación con el contenido de propágulos fúngicos y partículas inertes, mediante el uso de dos técnicas complementarias. Métodos. El estudio se llevó a cabo con un sistema volumétrico y dos metodologías de muestreo: 1) método no viable de evaluación directa; y 2) método viable para el cultivo de propágulos fúngicos viables. Resultados. A partir del sistema de recuperación directa se cuantificó un total de 4401,88 esporas/m3 con 10 morfotipos pertenecientes en su mayoría a anamorfos de Ascomycota. Asimismo se cuantificaron 32135,18 partículas inertes suspendidas por m3. Con el uso del sistema viable se estimó un total de 40.500UFC/m3 aire para todos los sitios muestreados y se identificaron nueve taxa fúngicos que pertenecen también a formas anamórficas de Ascomycota, aunque se halló la levadura pigmentada Rhodotorula F.C. Harrison (Basidiomycota). Conclusiones. Ambos métodos, viable y no viable de muestreo, son necesarios para el control de la carga de aerosoles en el Herbario de La Plata. El aire interior de esta institución parece razonablemente adecuado para la conservación de plantas vasculares, dado el bajo índice interior/exterior, bajas concentraciones de esporas o la ausencia de indicadores de problemas de humedad (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Fungi/isolation & purification , Spores, Fungal/isolation & purification , /analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Sampling StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Biological agents, such as fungal spores in the air in places where scientific collections are stored, can attack and deteriorate them. AIMS: The aim of this study was to gather information on the indoor air quality of the Herbarium of Vascular Plants of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata, Argentina, in relation to fungal propagules and inert particles. METHODS: This study was made using a volumetric system and two complementary sampling methods: (1) a non-viable method for direct evaluation, and (2) a viable method by culture for viable fungal propagules. RESULTS: The non-viable method led to ten spore morphotypes being found from related fungal sources. A total of 4401.88spores/m3 and 32135.18 inert suspended particles/m3 were recorded. The viable method led to the finding of nine fungal taxa as viable spores that mostly belonged to anamorphic forms of Ascomycota, although the pigmented yeast Rhodotorula F.C. Harrison (Basidiomycota) was also found. A total count of 40,500fungal CFU/m3 air was estimated for all the sites sampled. CONCLUSIONS: Both the non-viable and viable sampling methods were necessary to monitor the bio-aerosol load in the La Plata Herbarium. The indoor air of this institution seems to be reasonably adequate for the conservation of vascular plants due to the low indoor/outdoor index, low concentrations of air spores, and/or lack of indicators of moisture problems.
