Initial Survey To Fungal Deterioration Of Archaeological Linen Textiles In Sohag National Museum

Mahmoud Abo Elmaaref,Wael Mohamed,Walaa Abdel Wahab,Mohamed Marouf

doi:10.21608/arcs.2020.44500.1008

Mahmoud Abo Elmaaref, Wael Mohamed + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21608/arcs.2020.44500.1008

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Abstract

Microorganisms are one of the most dangerous damage factors that threaten archaeological cellulosic textiles such as cotton and linen. This research presents a detailed study of the effect of fungi that have been isolated from the display and storage environment of Sohag National Museum on the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of archaeological linen textiles. The study used the potato Dextrose Agar, PDA. Nutritional medium in conducting microbial surveys of the museum display and storage environment; the result of the survey was the presence of three fungal strains, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma sp. and Penicillium duclauxii, which dominated the display and storage atmosphere in the museum. The study evaluated the effect of these fungal strains on the linen textiles. Measurement of mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation), change of color using the CIE Lab system and the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for the evaluation process. The results of this study found that the most dangerous fungal strain that affect both mechanical, physical properties and chemical composition was strain of Aspergillus flavus.

Highlights

This study focuses on the effect of microorganisms isolated from the atmosphere of the exhibition and the museum storage of Sohag National Museum on the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of archaeological linen textiles
The attack of microorganisms is destructive to historical textiles since such organisms remain latent for very long periods within the material of the fabric and during which microbes work to reproduce.Microbial damage can occur in collectibles that appear to be in a good condition and exist under controlled surrounding conditions; that is free of any pollutants, chemical damage factors and physical pressures [3]
The results of the microbial survey of fungi found in the galleries and the museum storage of the National Museum of Sohag showed the existence of three fungal strains dominated the exhibition and storage environment

Summary

Introduction

This study focuses on the effect of microorganisms isolated from the atmosphere of the exhibition and the museum storage of Sohag National Museum on the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of archaeological linen textiles. Maintaining valuable textiles requires the removal of such stains, given that the chemical changes resulting from the activity of such microorganisms lead to a strong decrease in the tensile strength of the fabrics and occurrence of a total and partial destruction of the fibrous material. Mold from this fungal growth is extremely harmful to those working in these museums, sometimes leading to serious diseases [4], [6].

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