Investigate the role of fungal communities associated with a historical manuscript from the 17th century in biodegradation

Abstract Herein, the deteriorating aspects of a historical manuscript (papers and leather bookbinding) dated back to 17 th century were evaluated with reference role associated fungal communities. The deterioration signs investigated using visual assessment, SEM, ATR-FTIR, XRD, color changes, pH values compared control. Data showed that most represented by dust, dirt, erosion, stains, bores, weakness, missed parts, decreasing in paper crystallinity, shifting wavenumbers cellulosic band, changing pH. dependent-culturable technique thirteen strains identified traditional molecular methods as Aspergillus niger (three isolates), A. fumigatus (two quadrilineatus Penicillium citrinum P. chrysogenium isolates). These high efficacy secretion various hydrolytic enzymes including cellulase, amylase, gelatinase, pectinase which play critical biodeterioration.