Biodeterioration and chemical conservation of Bhimkichak Temple, Malhar, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Stone cultural heritage materials are at risk of bio-deterioration caused by diverse populations of microorganisms living in biofilms. The microbial metabolites of these biofilms are responsible for the deterioration of the underlying substratum and may lead to physical weakening and discoloration of stone [1,18]. Fungal ability in producing pigments and organic acids have a crucial role in the discoloration and degradation of different types of stone in cultural heritage objects. Additionally, stone objects may support the communities of microorganisms that are active in the biodeterioration process. This investigation focuses on the mycological analyses of microbial biofilm from the Bhimkichak temple, in Malhar of Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh state which is made of sandstone, and is heavily colonized by fungi. Eight fungal species on the sandstone were isolated. Aspergillus sp. was observed, a common species in the stone structure of this monument. The identified micro fungi cause discoloration as well as mechanical exfoliation of the building stone material which was analyzed through mechanical hyphae penetration and production of dark pigments and organic acids.

Keywords

• biodeterioramento
• biofilm
• metaboliti microbici
• pigmenti