Microbial Contamination of Photographic and Cinematographic Materials in Archival Funds in the Czech Republic

Abstract

In this study we investigated the microbial contamination of 126 samples of photographic and cinematographic materials from 10 archival funds in the Czech Republic. Microorganisms were isolated from the light-sensitive layer by swabbing it with a polyurethane sponge. Microbial isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF MS (bacteria) or by phenotype testing and microscopy (fungi). Bacterial contamination was more abundant and more diverse than fungal contamination, and both were significantly associated with archives. The most frequently isolated fungal genera were Cladosporium, Eurotium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Gram-positive genera such as Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Kocuria, Streptococcus and Bacillus. This bacterial and fungal diversity suggests that air is the main vehicle of contamination. We also analysed the impact of the type of material used for the carrier (paper, baryta paper, cellulose acetate and nitrate or glass) or the light-sensitive layer (albumen, gelatine, collodion and other) on the level and diversity of microbial contamination. Carriers such as polyester and cellulose nitrate may have a negative impact on bacterial contamination, while paper and baryta paper may have a partially positive impact on both fungal and bacterial contamination.

Fungal diversity in environments of repository of the national archive of the Republic of Cuba from the 80s to 2022

“…26,147 Recently, different species of the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Eurotium, Fusarium, Penicillium and Talaromyces were detected from the surface of photographs and audiovisual media. 27,137,148 Among the genera considered as rare are Cryptococcus, Mucor and Rhodotorula, of which a species of each has been isolated from paper documents, 136 the same happens for Eurotium that was detected on Italians documents ancient. 68 Gliomastix is a genus that was isolated from the surface of books preserved in a Turkish library.…”

Deterioration-associated microbiome of a modern photographic artwork: the case of Skull and Crossbones by Robert Mapplethorpe

“…Both bacterial and fungal communities are responsible for attacking photographs, with the former being particularly destructive [9,10]. Recent research has highlighted the compartmentalization of different species within biofilms, each occupying separate niches [11].…”

Bacterial Diversity on Historical Audio-Visual Materials and in the Atmosphere of Czech Depositories

“…All photographic and cinematographic materials are composed of organic and inorganic components that microorganisms use for their growth and metabolism under appropriate conditions ( 7 ). The composition of audio-visual materials is highly varied and is usually composed of two layers, one of which is a carrier onto which a second light-sensitive layer (an emulsion of a light-sensitive substance and a binder) is deposited ( 8 ).…”