In the present study we observed structure and mechanical properties of fungal deteriorated wool textiles. Contemporary non-aged and accelerated aged wool textiles were inoculated with six different fungal strains, which were selected among several strains isolated from museum textile objects. Some structural changes occurred, which influenced mechanical properties of the fibers in a negative way. Several mechanical damages were observed after inoculation and tensile properties of the threads decreased. Accelerated aged fibers were more affected by fungi than non-aged fibers.
COBISS.SI-ID: 512665387
The investigation into fungal growth on historical textiles tored in museums and religious institutions (churches and cloisters) in Slovenia initially indicated relatively widespread fungal contamination. Closer investigation revealed that only 21 objects out of 38 were positive for fungal contamination, with the other objects being discoloured or stained due to other factors. On the objects that were stored at low humidity and temperature, fungal growth remained restricted for several years, even if the objects were contaminated before storage. Although most of the textile specimens contaminated by fungi were from those institutions without any control of internal environmental conditions, the rate of textile degradation due to fungal growth was generally low. The dominant contaminant fungal species, detected by culture-dependent techniques and identified by the use of current molecular genus-specific barcodes, belonged to the genus Penicillium, followed by Aspergillus and Cladosporium. Microscopy analyses of the fungal growth revealed that on most of these objects fungal growth was limited to the surface. The enzymatic profile of selected isolates was determined, particularly by strong beta-glucosidase activity and amylase activity. Examination of the structural and physical changes to the fibres on contaminated and non-contaminated objects showed the most pronounced structural changes on flax and other cellulosic fibres, while proteinaceous fibres (e.g., wool and silk) were generally not affected.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3274831
The scope of this study was an analysis of the deterioration of cotton fibres caused by selected strains of fungal species from historical cotton textile objects. Aged and non-aged cotton fabric specimens were inoculated with representative strains of the six highest frequency fungal species isolated from museum textile objects from different Slovene museums. The selected fungi were Aspergillus clavatus, Cladosporium cladosporoides, Fomes fomentarius, Hypoxylon fragiforme, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium corylophilum. Their effects on contemporary and artificially aged cotton was examined by Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile behaviour. These fungal species affected the cellulose structure and fabric properties differently. Among the fungi analysed, P. chrysogenum was least harmful to cotton-cellulose samples, while C. cladosporoides, F. fomentarius and H. fragiforme showed the greatest effects. The main structural changes were hydrolysis, depolymerisation, and decreased molecular order. Although not all of these fungal species are dangerous to cotton fibres, and hence to museum objects, they all cause visible changes that can lead to disintegration of these objects. Another important factor that accelerates the depolymerisation of cellulose macromolecules in cotton fibre is inappropriate storage conditions, which should be avoided at all costs, to preserve historical objects and artefacts.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3329103
Fibres belong to organic materials, and are therefore susceptible to external influences, causing structural changes of the materials. Consequences of the structural changes in fibres are changes in their properties. Cellulose natural fibres, which were in the past often used for clothing, decorative and applied arts, are very susceptible to external influences. Fibre structure can be analysed with vibrational spectroscopic methods. Infrared and Raman spectroscopies are complementary methods, allowing us to analyse fibre super-molecular structure (crystallinity and different polymorph structures of cellulose). In the present work both methods were applied for analysis of aged cellulose textiles degraded by fungi. Selected methods turned out to be appropriate for analysis of super-molecular structural changes in the biodegraded textiles, such as depolymerisation of cellulose macromolecules and changes in arrangement of the macromolecules. Prolonged time of active contamination with fungi led to more intensive super-molecular structural changes.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2727792
In the research two different FTIR spectroscopy methods (microspectroscopy with diamond anvil cell and ATR spectrosocpy) were used to investigate structural changes on biodeteriorated and non-affected textile fibres obtained from different Slovene museums and sacral objects. Several structural changes were observed in spectra of biodeteriorated as well as of non-affected cellulosic fibres, whereas no changes were observed in proteinaceous fibres. In the scope of spectral analysis also crystallinity index has been calculated by comparing two different band ratios. The research showed that the crystallinity index, calculated from the band intensity ratio I1372/I2900 groups fibres into two groups; biodeteriorated fibres have predominantly lower crystallinity index.
COBISS.SI-ID: 512456491