SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Gazi University Journal of Science / 2026 / Volume: 39 Issue: 2

Fungal Inhabitants of Deteriorated Historical Manuscripts at Istanbul University’s Virtual Library: Comparative Sampling and Media Assessments

İstanbul Üniversitesi Sanal Kütüphanesi'ndeki Bozunmuş Tarihi El Yazmalarının Mantar Sakinleri: Karşılaştırmalı Örnekleme ve Ortam Değerlendirmeleri

İrem Mutlu(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ FEN BİLİMLERİ ENSTİTÜSÜ)0000-0002-7628-7445
Duygu Kadaifçiler(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, FEN FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-4825-243X
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-06-01
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings emphasize the necessity of using complementary sampling techniques and culture media to assess microbial diversity and enzymatic activity in historical documents, thereby informing more effective conservation strategies.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Historical manuscripts are invaluable cultural artifacts whose preservation is crucial for safeguarding human heritage.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This study investigated fungal contamination in twenty-five deteriorated paper-based historical manuscripts from the Istanbul University Virtual Library.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings emphasize the necessity of using complementary sampling techniques and culture media to assess microbial diversity and enzymatic activity in historical documents, thereby informing more effective conservation strategies.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Historical manuscript · IU virtual library · Cellulolytic fungi

Abstract

Historical manuscripts are invaluable cultural artifacts whose preservation is crucial for safeguarding human heritage. This study investigated fungal contamination in twenty-five deteriorated paper-based historical manuscripts from the Istanbul University Virtual Library. Samples were collected using both swab and membrane filter methods, and fungal isolates were cultivated on dichloran glycerol 18 agar and malt extract agar. Cellulase activity was screened among isolates, followed by morphological identification. A total of 199 fungal isolates were obtained, 93.46% of which were cellulolytic, and their enzymatic indices ranged from 1.16 to 4.00. Swab sampling yielded significantly higher colony counts than membrane filtration, although no significant difference was found between media. The most frequently encountered species were Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus fumigatus . The findings emphasize the necessity of using complementary sampling techniques and culture media to assess microbial diversity and enzymatic activity in historical documents, thereby informing more effective conservation strategies.

Özet

Tarihi el yazmaları, korunması insan mirasının korunması için hayati önem taşıyan paha biçilmez kültürel eserlerdir. Bu çalışmada İstanbul Üniversitesi Sanal Kütüphanesi'ndeki yirmi beş bozulmuş kağıt tabanlı tarihi el yazmasında mantar kontaminasyonu araştırılmıştır. Örnekler hem sürüntü hem de membran filtre yöntemleri kullanılarak toplanmış ve mantar izolatları dicloran gliserol 18 agar ve malt ekstrakt agar besiyerlerinde kültüre alınmıştır. İzolatlar arasında selülaz aktivitesi taranmış ve ardından morfolojik tanımlama yapılmıştır. Toplam 199 mantar izolatı elde edilmiş olup, bunların %93.46'sı selülolitik olup enzimatik indeksleri 1.16 ile 4.00 arasında değişmektedir. Sürüntü örneklemesi, membran filtrasyona kıyasla önemli ölçüde daha yüksek koloni sayısı vermiştir, ancak besiyerleri arasında önemli bir fark bulunamamıştır. En sık karşılaşılan türler Penicillium chrysogenum ve Aspergillus fumigatus'tur. Bulgular, tarihi belgelerdeki mikrobiyal çeşitlilik ve enzimatik aktiviteyi değerlendirmek için tamamlayıcı örnekleme teknikleri ve kültür besiyerlerinin kullanılmasının gerekliliğini vurgulayarak daha etkili koruma stratejilerine bilgi sağlamaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Mutlu, İ., Kadaifçiler, D. (2026). Fungal Inhabitants of Deteriorated Historical Manuscripts at Istanbul University’s Virtual Library: Comparative Sampling and Media Assessments. Gazi University Journal of Science, Volume: 39 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1822641

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (54)

  1. Borrego, S., Lavin, P., Perdomo, I., Gómez de Saravia, S., and Guiamet, P., “Determination of indoor air quality in archives and biodeterioration of the documentary heritage”, ISRN Microbiology, Article ID 680598, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/680598
  2. Cappitelli, F. and Sorlini, C., “Paper and manuscripts”, in Mitchell, R. and McNamara, C.J., Eds., Cultural Heritage Microbiology: Fundamental Studies in Conservation Science, 2nd ed., pp. 45-96, ASM Press, (2010). ISBN: 978-1-55581-476-2
  3. Di Carlo, E., Chisesi, R., Barresi, G., Barbaro, S., Lombardo, G., Rotolo, V., Sebastianelli, M., Travagliato, G., and Pallaet, F., “Fungi and bacteria in indoor cultural heritage environments: Microbial-related risks for artworks and human health”, Environment and Ecology Research, 4(5): 257-264, (2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/eer.2016.040504
  4. Arai, H., “Foxing caused by fungi: Twenty-five years of study”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 46(3): 181-188, (2000). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-8305(00)00102-5
  5. Bergadi, E.F., Laachari, F., Elabed, S., Mohammed, I.H., and Ibnsouda, S.K., “Cellulolytic potential and filter paper activity of fungi isolated from ancient manuscripts from the Medina of Fez”, Annals of Microbiology, 64(2): 815-822, (2014). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-013-0718-6
  6. Montanari, M., Melloni, V., Pinzari, F., and Innocenti, G., “Fungal biodeterioration of historical library materials stored in compactus movable shelves”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 75: 83-88, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.03.011
  7. Kasana, R. C., Salwan, R., Dhar, H., Dutt, S., and Gulati, A., “A rapid and easy method for the detection of microbial cellulases on agar plates using Gram’s iodine”, Current Microbiology, 57(5): 503-507, (2008). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-008-9276-8
  8. Coronado-Ruiz, C., Avendaño, R., Escudero-Leyva, E., Conejo-Barboza, G., Chaverri, P., and Chavarría, M., “Two new cellulolytic fungal species isolated from a 19th-century art collection”, Scientific Reports, 8: 7492, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24934-7
  9. Barnett, H.L. and Hunter, B.B., Illustrated Genera of Imperfect Fungi, 4th ed., St. Paul, MN: APS Press, (1999). ISBN: 0-89054-192-2
  10. Klich, M.A., Identification of Common Aspergillus Species, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, (2002). ISBN: 90-70351-46-3
  11. Pitt, J.I., The Genus Penicillium and its Teleomorphic States Eupenicillium and Talaromyces, Academic Press, London, (1979). ISBN: 0-12-557750-9
  12. Pitt, J.I., A Laboratory Guide to Common Penicillium Species, 2nd ed., CSIRO Division of Food Processing, North Ryde, (2000). ISBN: 0-643-06512-0
  13. Samson, R.A., Houbraken, J., Thrane, U., Frisvad, J.C. and Andersen, B., Food and Indoor Fungi, Utrecht: CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, (2010). ISBN: 978-90-70351-82-3
  14. Ellis, M.B., Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes, Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, (1971). ISBN: 0-85198-027-9
  15. Hasenekoğlu, İ., Toprak Mikrofungusları, Atatürk Üniversitesi, K.K. Eğt. Fak. Yay., Erzurum, (1991).
  16. Index Fungorum Partnership, “ISF search index fungorum”, (2008). [Online]. Available: http://www.indexfungorum.org/Names/Names.asp [Accessed: Nov. 24, 2023].
  17. Hawksworth, D.L., et al. “The Amsterdam declaration on fungal nomenclature”, IMA Fungus, 2(1): 105–112, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5598/imafungus.2011.02.01.14
  18. MycoBank, “International Mycological Association”, (2008). [Online]. Available: http://www.mycobank.org/quicksearch.aspx [Accessed: Nov. 24, 2023].
  19. Fouda, A., Hassan, S.E.D., Abdo, A.M., El-Gamal, M.S., Badr, D., Elgohary, A., and Salem, S.S., “Biotechnological applications of fungal endophytes associated with medicinal plant Asclepias sinaica for sustainable agriculture”, Scientific Reports, 9: 11601, (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47913-9
  20. Sterflinger, K. and Pinzari, F., “The revenge of time: Fungal deterioration of cultural heritage with particular reference to books, paper and parchment”, Environmental Microbiology, 14(3): 559-566, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2011.02584.x
  21. Maksoud, G., Abdel-Nasser, M., Sultan, M.H., Eid, A.M., Alotaibi, S.H., Hassan, S.E.D., and Fouda, A., “Fungal biodeterioration of a historical manuscript dating back to the 14th century: An insight into various fungal strains and their enzymatic activities”, Life, 12(11): 1821, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111821
  22. Michaelsen, A., Piñar, G., and Pinzari, F., “Molecular and microscopical investigation of the microflora inhabiting a deteriorated Italian manuscript dated from the thirteenth century”, Microbial Ecology, 60(1): 69-80, (2010). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-010-9667-9
  23. Cappitelli, F., Fermo, P., Vecchi, R., Piazzalunga, A., Valli, G., Zanardini, E., and Sorlini, C., “Chemical–physical and microbiological measurements for indoor air quality assessment at the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento, Turin (Italy)”, Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 201: 109-120, (2009). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/S11270-008-9931-5
  24. Pinar, G., Sterflinger, K., Pinzari, F., Colaizzi, P., Graf, A., Sebastiani, M.L., and Sclocchi, M.C., “Amid the possible causes of a very famous foxing: Molecular and microscopic insight into Leonardo da Vinci's self‐portrait”, Environmental Microbiology Reports, 7(6): 849-859, (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12326
  25. Sterflinger, K. and Pinar, G., “Microbial deterioration of cultural heritage and works of art-Tilting at windmills?”, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 97(22): 9637-9646, (2013). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-5283-1
  26. Flocco, C.G., Bacci, G., Cardinale, M., Borin, S., Belli, C., Rampazzi, L., and Cappitelli, F., “Touching the (almost) untouchable: A minimally invasive workflow for microbiological and biomolecular analyses of cultural heritage objects”, Frontiers in Microbiology, 14: 1197837, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1197837
  27. Guiamet, P., Borrego, S., Lavin, P., Perdomo, I., and de Saravia, S.G., “Biofouling and biodeterioration in materials stored at the Historical Archive of the Museum of La Plata, Argentine and at the National Archive of the Republic of Cuba”, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 85(2): 229-234, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2011.02.031
  28. Tarsitani, L., Sclocchi, M.C., Caneva, G., and Piñar, G., “Microbiological analysis of surfaces of Leonardo da Vinci's Atlantic Codex: Biodeterioration risk”, Internatinal Journal of Microbiology, (2014), Article ID: 14364. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/214364
  29. Krakova, L., Chovanová, K., Selim, S.A., Šimonovičová, A., Puškarová, A., Maková, A., and Pangallo, D., “A multiphasic approach for investigation of the microbial diversity and its biodegradative abilities in historical paper and parchment documents”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 70: 117-125, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.01.011
  30. Ebah, E.E., Yange, I.A., and Agada, E.O., “Isolation and characterization of microorganisms associated with deteriorated books”, Annual Research and Review in Biology, 27(5): 1-8, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/ARRB/2018/42630
  31. Glevitzky, M., Aleya, L., Vică, M.L., Dumitrel, G.A., Avram, M., Tit, D.M., and Bungau, S., “Assessing the microbiological contamination along with environmental factors of old books in the 1490-founded Bistrița Monastery, Romania”, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28: 8743-8757, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11170-8
  32. Sequeira, S.O., Fungal Biodeterioration of Paper: Development of Safer and Accessible Conservation Treatments, Doctoral dissertation, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa / Universidade de Lisboa, (2016).
  33. Oetari, A., Wibowo, M.A., Wibowo, R.H., Maryana, R., and Nofiani, R., “Occurrence of fungi on deteriorated old dluwang manuscripts from Indonesia”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 114: 94-103, (2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.06.002
  34. Karbowska-Berent, J., Górny, R.L., Strzelczyk, A.B., and Wlazło, A., “Airborne and dust borne microorganisms in selected Polish libraries and archives”, Building and Environment, 46(10): 1872-1879, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.03.007
  35. Silva, M., Moraes, A.M.L., Nishikawa, M.M., Gatti, M.J.A., de Alencar, M.V., Brandão, L.E., and Nóbrega, A., “Inactivation of fungi from deteriorated paper materials by radiation”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 57(3): 163-167, (2006). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2006.02.003
  36. Sterflinger, K. and Pinzari, F., “The revenge of time: Fungal deterioration of cultural heritage with particular reference to books, paper and parchment”, Environmental Microbiology, 14(3): 559-566, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2011.02584.x
  37. Rakotonirainy, M.S., “Evaluation of carboxymethyl cellulase activity as an indicator of active moulds inside foxing spots on paper”, Journal of Paper Conservation, 21(3): 89-99, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/18680860.2020.1902114
  38. Mesquita, N., Portugal, A., Videira, S., Rodríguez-Echeverría, S., Bandeira, A.M.L., Santos, M.J.A., and Freitas, H., “Fungal diversity in ancient documents. A case study on the Archive of the University of Coimbra”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 63(5): 626-629, (2009). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2009.03.010
  39. Maksoud, G., Abdel-Nasser, M., Sultan, M.H., Eid, A.M., Alotaibi, S.H., Hassan, S.E.D., and Fouda, A., “Fungal biodeterioration of a historical manuscript dating back to the 14th century: An insight into various fungal strains and their enzymatic activities”, Life, 12(11): 1821, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111821
  40. Corte, A.M., Ferroni, A., and Salvo, V.S., “Isolation of fungal species from test samples and maps damaged by foxing, and correlation between these species and the environment”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 51(3): 167-173, (2003). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-8305(02)00137-3
  41. Sterflinger, K., “Fungi: Their role in deterioration of cultural heritage”, Fungal Biology Reviews, 24(1–2): 47-55, (2010). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbr.2010.03.003
  42. Gutarowska, B., A Modern Approach to Biodeterioration Assessment and the Disinfection of Historical Book Collections, Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Arden Prepress Studio, Poland, (2016). ISBN: 978-83-63929-01-5
  43. Manente, S., Micheluz, A., Ganzerla, R., Ravagnan, G., and Gambaro, A., “Chemical and biological characterization of paper: A case study using a proposed methodological approach”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 74: 99-108, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.03.008
  44. Jacob, S.M., Raseetha, J., and Kelkar-Mane, V., “Physico-Chemical Assessment of Biodeteriorated and Biodegraded Archival Paper”, International Journal of Conservation Science, 8(4): 607-618, (2017). https://ijcs.ro/public/IJCS-17-58_Jacob.pdf
  45. Karakasidou, K., Nikolouli, K., Amoutzias, G.D., Pournou, A., Manassis, C., Tsiamis, G., and Mossialos, D., “Microbial diversity in biodeteriorated Greek historical documents dating back to the 19th and 20th century: A case study”, Microbiology Open, 7(5): e00596, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.596
  46. Pinheiro, A.C., Sequeira, S.O., and Macedo, M.F., “Fungi in archives, libraries, and museums: A review on paper conservation and human health”, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 45(5–6): 686-700, (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1040841X.2019.1690420
  47. Pasquarella, C., Balocco, C., Pasquariello, G., Petrone, G., Saccani, E., Manotti, P., and Albertini, R., “A multidisciplinary approach to the study of cultural heritage environments: Experience at the Palatina Library in Parma”, Science of the Total Environment, 536: 557-567, (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.105
  48. Abdel-Mallek, A.Y., “Isolation of cellulose-decomposing fungi from damaged manuscripts and documents”, Microbiological Research, 149(2): 163-165, (1994). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-5013(11)80113-8
  49. Rojas, T.I., Aira, M.J., Batista, A., Cruz, I.L., and Gonzalez, S., “Fungal biodeterioration in historic buildings of Havana (Cuba)”, Grana, 51(1): 44-51, (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00173134.2011.643920
  50. Hubka, V., Kolařík, M., Kubátová, A., and Peterson, S.W., “Taxonomic revision of Eurotium and transfer of species to Aspergillus”, Mycologia, 105(4): 912-937, (2013). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3852/12-151
  51. Pinar, G., Sclocchi, M.C., Pinzari, F., Colaizzi, P., Graf, A., Sebastiani, M.L., and Sterflinger, K., “The microbiome of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings: A bio-archive of their history”, Frontiers in Microbiology, 11: 593401, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.593401
  52. Zotti, M., Ferroni, A., and Calvini, P., “Mycological and FTIR analysis of biotic foxing on paper substrates”, International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 65(4): 569-578, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2010.01.011
  53. Samson, R.A., Hong, S., Peterson, S.W., Frisvad, J.C., and Varga, J., “Polyphasic taxonomy of Aspergillus section Fumigati and its teleomorph Neosartorya”, Studies in Mycology, 59: 147-203, (2007). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3114/sim.2007.59.14
  54. Frisvad, J.C., Frank, J.M., Houbraken, J., Kuijpers, A.F., and Samson, R.A., “New ochratoxin A producing species of Aspergillus section Circumdati”, Studies in Mycology, 23-43, (2004). https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSPR.2015.07.001