Identification of Microorganisms Dwelling on the 19th Century Lanna Mural Paintings from Northern Thailand Using Culture-Dependent and -Independent Approaches.

Nattaphon Suphaphimol,Kamonpan Pengpat,Saranphong Yimklan,Sathaporn Thiangtham,Surachai Jongjitngam,Terd Disayathanoowat,Panuwan Chantawannakul,Natthawat Semakul,Nakarin Suwannarach,Witoon Purahong,Churdsak Jaikang,Saiklang Jindasu

doi:10.3390/biology11020228

Nattaphon Suphaphimol, Kamonpan Pengpat + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11020228

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Abstract

Simple SummaryIn this study, we compared microbial communities in Lanna mural paintings in temples with different numbers of visitors using culture-dependent and culture independent approaches. The results showed that microorganisms could damage the colors that are used on murals. The process of degradation involved the production of organic acids and formation of the calcium crystal. Furthermore, we found that the site with higher number of visitors is associated with microbial contamination from humans while the site with lower number of visitors had higher saprotroph population. Further research into these microorganisms, their activities and functional roles may provide crucial information to aid the preservation of mural paintings.Lanna painting is a unique type of painting in many temples in the Northern Thai region. Similar to most mural paintings, they usually decay over time partly due to the activity of microbes. This study aimed to investigate the microorganisms from two Lanna masterpiece paintings in two temples that differ in the numbers of visitors using both culture-dependent and -independent approaches. The microorganisms isolated from the murals were also tested for the biodeterioration activities including discoloration, acid production and calcium precipitation. Most microorganisms extracted from the paintings were able to discolor the paints, but only fungi were able to discolor, produce acids and precipitate calcium. The microorganism communities, diversity and functional prediction were also investigated using the culture-independent method. The diversity of microorganisms and functional prediction were different between the two temples. Gammaproteobacteria was the predominant group of bacteria in both temples. However, the fungal communities were different between the two temples as Aspergillus was the most abundant genus in the site with higher number of visitors [Buak Krok Luang temple (BK)]. Conversely, mural paintings at Tha Kham temple (TK) were dominated by the Neodevriesia genera. We noticed that a high number of visitors (Buak Krok Luang) was correlated with microbial contamination from humans while the microbial community at Tha Kham temple had a higher proportion of saprotrophs. These results could be applied to formulate a strategy to mitigate the amount of tourists as well as manage microorganism to slow down the biodeterioration process.

Highlights

Mural paintings are a form of cultural heritage that is associated with a sense of identity and often exploited to benefit the tourism industry and economy [1]
Tamination of the microorganisms at Buak Krok Luang temple from tourists was higher and they contribute to biodeterioration in addition to local microorganisms on the painting
Microorganism contamination from human was lower in Tha

Summary

Introduction

Mural paintings are a form of cultural heritage that is associated with a sense of identity and often exploited to benefit the tourism industry and economy [1]. Management and preservation of murals, especially those with cultural significance such as paintings in churches, require large amount of public funding and are often neglected in developing countries and underdeveloped areas [2]. Such poor management is the case in the north of Thailand where the Lanna Kingdom was founded in the 14th century. Many studies in the past decade found that fungi and bacteria contribute to the destruction of the painting equipment, ceramics, mummies, and books These microorganisms can penetrate the materials and cause damage through different pathways such as production of acids and digestive enzymes, or direct physical damage

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