Microfungal biodeterioration of historic paper: Preliminary FTIR and microbiological analyses |
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Authors: | M. Zotti A. Ferroni P. Calvini |
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Affiliation: | aDip.Te.Ris., Polo Botanico Hanbury, Universitá di Genova, Corso Dogali 1M, 16136 Genova, Italy;bPaper Restorer, Via Ravasco 4, 16136 Genova, Italy;cMinistry of Cultural Heritages, S.B.A.P., Via Balbi 10, 16121 Genova, Italy |
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Abstract: | Paper is subjected to numerous biodeterioration processes, which may cause the irreversible degradation of important documents and works of art. Many chemical and physical factors can affect these processes and their behaviour, and fungi seem to play a key role in biodeteriorating paper materials. This study is mainly aimed at verifying the presence of fungi in biodeteriorated 18th century etchings, and characterizing the paper surface by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and fluorescence under UV radiation. The laboratory tests highlight the presence of fungal entities from all the samples investigated. Specifically, 14 species were identified; three of them were never isolated from paper until now. Furthermore, the data gathered do not confirm the theory according to which there is a correspondence between fluorescence of the stains under UV radiation and the vitality of microfungi. Finally, possible correlations among paper composition (as determined by FTIR), mode of conservation and fungal attack are presented and discussed. |
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Keywords: | Archaeometry Foxing Moulds Fungi Paper biodeterioration Paper composition |
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