Sampling and estimate of fungal biodeteriogens of Lucknow, India

Abstract

Biodeterioration is a biological process responsible for the destruction of materials resulting in enormous economic loss all around the globe. The degree of damage is multiplied in a country like India where a tropical and humid climate prevails in major parts of the subcontinent. Out of various deteriorating agents, fungi are the principal constituents of airspora responsible for the major damages of cultural properties. They are omnipresent and attacks a wide range of substrates such as textile, leather, paper, stone, wood, plastic, painting, etc. An efficient and reliable sampling is a prerequisite for the proper identification, quantification and management of such problems. Andersen, Rotorod and Burkard air samplers were employed over a period of one year (January-December 1997) in both extramural and intramural environments of Lucknow. Certain predominant fungi such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium Chaetomium, Curvularia, Helminthosporium, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, Torula, Trichoderma etc. are observed to be associated with the biodeterioration of cultural properties. Both quantitative and qualitative estimates of aeromycoflora have been fruitfully utilised in prediction of various fungal biodeteriogens at a particular time and place.