The quality of air at archives and the biodeterioration of photographs

Fungal biodeterioration in historic buildings of Havana (Cuba)

“…Fungal diversity was greater in the air than on the substrates sampled. Earlier studies in Cuba have reported similar results from museums, archives and libraries at the University of Havana , in storage areas containing mostly cellulose-based materials such as the National Archive (Vaillant et al, 1989, Borrego et al, 2008, on photographic materials (Borrego et al, 2010) and inside churches (Sánchez et al, 1988) and homes (Aira et al, 2002). Research in other parts of the world has also highlighted the prevalence of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium as well as Alternaria in religious buildings (Aira et al, 2007) and their effect on frescoes (Nugari & Roccardi, 2001) and historical documents (Robledo & Moretti, 1986) has been documented.…”

“…Cellulolytic capacity was evaluated following Borrego et al (2010) using filter paper as sole carbon source. Cultures were incubated for 21 days, substrate degradation was checked regularly.…”

“…In tropical climates, where prevailing heat and humidity conditions favour growth and sporulation, elevated airborne propagule concentrations can increase the risk of biodeterioration, particularly in indoor environments (Borrego et al, 2010). Unlike other microbial groups, saprophytic fungi can colonise a wide range of substrates and ecological niches; the extent of that colonisation depends on the species involved, on their genetic potential and on prevailing environmental conditions (Nugari & Roccardi, 2001;Lugauskas et al, 2003).…”

“…Mycological research on indoor environments in Cuba to date has pursued a number of very specific aims (Sánchez et al, 1988;Vaillant et al, 1989;Aira et al, 2002;Rojas et al, 2002;Borrego et al, 2008Borrego et al, , 2010. Published studies have identified the most common genera and/or species, but have not addressed the whole mycobiota; as a result, the fungi present in storage areas and on stored items have yet to be fully characterised.…”

Comparison of anti-Aspergillus activity of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and commercial biocide based on silver ions and hydrogen peroxide

“…(Garg et al 1995, Florian 2002. They are also involved in the degradation of a broad range of organic substrata (Goldman and Osmani 2007) due to their proteolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic activity (Borrego et al 2010, 2012a, Eida et al 2011. A vast number of microfungi, including Aspergillus species, are able to produce different organic and inorganic acids during their metabolic activities on monument surfaces (Farooq et al 2015).…”