Occurrence of filamentous fungi in the environment of the special collections section

Abstract

Fungi are important agents of biodeterioration of bibliographic collections that can also cause diseases in humans. To evaluate the environmental conditions of the Special Collections Section of a library in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre/RS, studies were conducted to verify microorganisms that may be present in different environments of this section. A total of 844 fungal colonies were obtained, not in accordance with Resolution-RE nº 9/2003 for environmental contamination, but despite this, there is an adequate air exchange between the environments. The following genera and fungi species were identified: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Bipolaris cinodontys, Corticiaceae sp., Curvularia sp., Epicoccum nigrum, Fusarium asiaticum, Penicillium citrinum, P. lanoso-coeruleum and Periconia byssoides. The most abundant species was A. alternata, corresponding to 29.7% of the total fungal colonies. Generally, these fungi are opportunistic pathogens generating illnesses in immunocompromised patients. Simultaneously, these microorganisms can also cause serious damage to bibliographic collections by using the composition of their material as a source of nutrients. Thus, the microbiological monitoring of environments containing collections is crucial to preserving and conserving cultural properties and maintain a suitable environment for human health.