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In vitro biodegradation potential of airborne Aspergilli and Penicillia

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Abstract

The study addresses in vitro degradation potential of airborne Aspergillus and Penicillium/Talarmyces species originating from cultural heritage conservation premises. A series of rapid, cost effective biodegradation assays were performed to assess production of extracellular pigments, acids, and enzymes. Most of the isolates have demonstrated positive growth in at least one of the preformed tests. Strongest overall degradation potential was demonstrated for Penicillium brevicompactum, P. glabrum, and Talaromyces sayulitensis while Aspergillus domesticus, A. penicillioides, A. pseudoglaucus, and A. ruber did not exhibit positive reaction in any of the employed assays. Majority of isolates exhibited proteolytic and cellulolytic activity while carbonate dissolution was observed for only five tested fungi. Highest alteration of pH value in liquid media was documented for T. sayulitensis while A. niger and P. expansum exhibited strongest acid production on CREA. Certain isolates, mostly Penicillium species, displayed production of extracellular pigments. The results imply that many of the tested fungi have significant biodegradation capacity, indicating their potential to inflict structural and esthetic alterations on cultural heritage objects.

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Funding

This research was carried out as a part of the project No.173032 financially supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, University of Belgrade, Takovska 43, Belgrade, 11 000, Serbia

    Željko Savković, Miloš Stupar, Nikola Unković, Jelena Vukojević & Milica Ljaljević Grbić

  2. The Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Teodora Drajzera 9, Belgrade, 11040, Serbia

    Žarko Ivanović & Jovana Blagojević

Authors
  1. Željko Savković
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  2. Miloš Stupar
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  3. Nikola Unković
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  4. Žarko Ivanović
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  5. Jovana Blagojević
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  6. Jelena Vukojević
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  7. Milica Ljaljević Grbić
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Correspondence to Željko Savković.

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Communicated by: Lukasz Stepien

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Savković, Ž., Stupar, M., Unković, N. et al. In vitro biodegradation potential of airborne Aspergilli and Penicillia. Sci Nat 106, 8 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-019-1603-3

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