Cellulolytic potential and filter paper activity of fungi isolated from ancients manuscripts from the Medina of Fez

Fungi isolated from ancient manuscripts in the Medina of Fez exhibit significant cellulolytic activity, posing a threat to historical paper. Nine out of 31 filamentous fungi demonstrated the ability to degrade carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and produce filter paper activity (FPUase), with varying effectiveness depending on temperature and pH. The most prevalent species included Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, and Mucor racemosus, while others like Hypocrea lixii, Aspergillus melleus, and Schizophyllum commune were less common. Long-term experiments showed these fungi could degrade filter paper at 25°C, highlighting their destructive potential on cultural heritage materials.

El Bergadi, F., Laachari, F., Elabed, S., Mohammed, I. H., & Ibnsouda, S. K. (2013). Cellulolytic potential and filter paper activity of fungi isolated from ancients manuscripts from the Medina of Fez. Annals of Microbiology, 64(2), 815–822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-013-0718-6