Monitoring the effects of fungi isolated from archival document on model albumen silver prints
Hadeer Mamdouh Ahmed Eldeeb1, Mona F Ali1, Maisa M A Mansour1
1Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt.
Abstract:
Fungi are a common problem in the photographic collection, so the aim of this study focused on isolating and molecular identification of fungi from old albumen prints dating to an archive of Dr. Francis and belonging to the Al-Hagar Family and dating back to 1880-1890. The isolated fungi were identified according to their morphological traits and PCR sequencing. The ability of these isolates to cause deterioration was evaluated on model samples (2 × 2 cm) of albumen silver prints. The effect of these fungi on the morphology and structure of the tested samples were examined by SEM, ATR-FTIR, and chromatic alternations. Four fungal species Aspergillus sydowii, A. flavus, Talaromyces atroroseus, and Penicillium chrysogenum were identified. All isolates were able to grow on the surface of the model Albumen silver print and were capable of causing damage to the binder and able to extend their growth to the paper fibers. A. sydowii, A. flavus, and P. chrysogenum caused hydrolysis and oxidation to the albumen prints, while no significant chemical damage to the albumen was detected for the photographic sample infected with T. atroroseus. All the inoculated samples were significantly affected in terms of color change and the high-light areas have become darker. ATR-FTIR spectra showed the degradation of the protein content in Albumen silver prints inoculated with A. sydowii, A. flavus, and P. chrysogenum.
Insights
Fungi like Aspergillus and Penicillium damage historical albumen prints by degrading proteins and darkening images. This study identified specific fungal species responsible for deterioration in 19th-century photographs.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Art Conservation Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Fungal contamination poses a significant threat to historical photographic collections.
- Albumen prints from the 1880s-1890s are particularly vulnerable to biodeterioration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and molecularly identify fungi from historical albumen prints.
- To assess the capacity of identified fungi to cause deterioration in albumen silver prints.
- To investigate the impact of fungal growth on the physical and chemical properties of these prints.
Main Methods:
- Fungal isolation and morphological identification.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) sequencing for molecular identification.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) for structural and chemical analysis.
- Chromatic alteration measurements.
Main Results:
- Four fungal species were identified: Aspergillus sydowii, Aspergillus flavus, Talaromyces atroroseus, and Penicillium chrysogenum.
- All identified fungal isolates grew on albumen print models, damaging the binder and paper fibers.
- Aspergillus sydowii, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium chrysogenum caused significant hydrolysis and oxidation, while Talaromyces atroroseus showed minimal chemical damage.
- Fungal infection led to noticeable color changes, darkening highlight areas, and degradation of albumen protein content.
Conclusions:
- Specific fungal species, including Aspergillus and Penicillium, actively degrade historical albumen prints.
- Biodeterioration affects both the physical structure and chemical composition of albumen photographs.
- Understanding these fungal impacts is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies for photographic archives.
