Fungal bioturbation paths in a compact disk

Abstract

We report here on bioturbation traces, with micro-dendrite textures, composed of a mixture of altered aluminum and polycarbonate, which have been developed in a common compact disk (CD), destroying information pits. Fungal hyphae proliferated in these deteriorated zones, and Geotrichum-type fungus was isolated from surface-sterilized CD fragments. The severe biodeterioration described is attributed to the slow growth of this arthroconidial fungus on the CD material in the tropical indoor environment of Belize, Central America (approximately 30 degrees C, approximately 90% humidity).

An anamorph of the white-rot fungusBjerkandera adustacapable of colonizing and degrading compact disc components

“…1a), similar to that reported in the original CD found in Belize (García-Guinea et al, 2001). After 6 months of incubation, at room temperature and high humidity, the biodeterioration path in the CD-A was clearly visible to the naked eye (Fig.…”

“…In the area colonized by the fungus, mobilization of the reflective metal and removal of the phthalocyanine dye present in the data-recording layer were observed. Similar degradation ways have been found in CDs from other tropical countries although the responsible organisms have not been studied (García-Guinea et al, 2001). It has been reported that basidiomycetes fungi, including different Bjerkandera P. Karst.…”

“…The fungus isolated from the deteriorated CD-A from Belize (García-Guinea et al, 2001) has been deposited in the IJFM culture collection of the 'Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas' (Madrid, Spain) with the reference A757.…”

“…Recently a fungus was isolated from a biodeteriorated CD-A (stored at $30 1C, $90% humidity) (García-Guinea et al, 2001), found in Belize on the western Caribbean coast. The analysis of the CD-fragments by transmitted and reflected light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed important alterations in the metal and polycarbonate layers, in zones where fungal hyphae were detected.…”

Microorganisms Attack Synthetic Polymers in Items Representing Our Cultural Heritage

“…Also, photographic materials, binders, and supports can be made of plastics (12). Plastic audiovisual material, including compact discs, can be subject to biodeterioration (25). Initial fungal colonization of plastics in audiovisual materials generally means failure because of interruption of the signal, whereas further colonization could lead to degradation of the plastics themselves (7,43).…”