WITHDRAWN: Microbial Degradation of Ancient Wood Housed in Cheops Boat Museum and Methods of Its Control

Abstract

The present research paper aims to determine the effect of microbial deterioration on wood housed in Cheops Boat and how to control it. Khufu, the second king of the Fourth Dynasty 2650 BC, established Cheops Boat that was found in 1954 on the southern side of the pyramid. Wood is usually very sensitive to biological attacks. Therefore, fungi, bacteria, and insects can easily attack and metabolize it, leading to significant physical, chemical, and morphological changes. Cellulose agar was used for the cultivation of fungi, and nutrient agar was used to cultivate bacteria. Microbial infections were identified using light microscopy and PCR after their cultivation. The causative microorganisms were isolated from Cheops Boat and characterized as A. niger, A. flavus, A. sulphureus, P. janthinellum, Cladosporium herbarum, Botryotrichum piluliferum, and Bacillus megaterium. The characteristics of the test methods and disinfection include their application to historical objects. Historic wood was analyzed from different perspectives: Stereo microscopes, SEM with EDX, FTIR, as well as wood structure and chemical composition. The biological activities of the isolated microorganisms were studied. The results illustrated that the best concentrations of a specific microbicide for the bio-treatment of the infected wood materials is pentachlorophenol at (900 ppm) as it is sufficient to inhibit all isolated microorganisms. It is followed by plant extract of Ceratophyllum demersum at (1000 ppm) concentration, and p-chloro-m-cresol at (2000 ppm) concentration.

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Comparative Inhibition Study by Nanomaterial, Plant Extract and Chemical Microcide on the Screaming Mummy in Egyptian Museum Store

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