Application of bioluminescence ATP measurement for evaluation of fungal viability of foxing spots on old documents.
An adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence-based protocol was tested to assess the viability of fungal species in old documents damaged by foxing. Foxing appears as scattered yellow brownish-red stains, damaging the aesthetics of documents and their long-term readability. In the field of cultural heritage conservation, the debate over the mechanism of foxing is ongoing. Previous studies found evidence of mold-like structures in some coloured areas; however, many species have not yet been identified and their role in the phenomenon is not understood. To better understand their involvement in this type of paper decay, we focused our attention first on their viability. We demonstrated the reliability and sensitivity of the ATP bioluminescence assay compared with conventional methods based on cultivation, which has rarely given rise to in vitro growth from foxed papers. From nine books dating back from the 19th and 20th centuries, the mean ATP amount of foxed spots ranged from 0.29 to 3.63 ng/cm(2), suggesting the presence of strains inside the brownish spots and providing evidence of their viability. Outside the spots, ATP content was considered negligible, with a mean ATP amount of 0 to 0.03 ng/cm(2). ATP assay appears to be a useful and robust method for the detection and quantification of viable elements in foxing spots.
Centre de recherche sur la conservation des collections (CRCC), USR3224, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CP21, 75005, Paris, France. rakotoni@mnhn.fr
Malalanirina Sylvia
MS
Rakotonirainy
Pauline
P
Dubar
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D050296:Microbial Viability; D010209:Paper / Q000266:history
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate