THE MYCOBIOTA ASSOCIATED WITH 10 OLD MANUSCRIPTS OF EGYPT'S NATIONAL LIBRARY ARCHIVES AND THEIR BIODEGRADATION CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

In libraries and archives, fungi are the most common biodegrading agents. The goal of this study is to examine and identify the fungi associated with 10 old manuscripts from Egypt’s National Library Archives, as well as to determine the most harmful isolates for old manuscripts to be cautious of in the future. 115 isolates were qualitatively tested for cellulase activity; the most potent fourteen isolates were subjected to quantitative estimation of cellulase as well as other biodegradative attributes, such as degradation of starch, gelatin, and acid and pigment production. Aspergillus spp. were the predominant genera in all of the samples, and without exception, all of the tested isolates have cellulolytic activity, with 14 isolates having the highest cellulolytic activity. Each of the fourteen fungal isolates has three biodegradative attributes, but three A. niger isolates (no. 2, 3, and 5), Chaetomium atrobrunneum, and Ulocladium atrum) reacted positively for all biodegradative qualities.