Deterioration and Microbiological Evaluation of Information Bearing Paper in a Nigerian University
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Annual Research & Review in Biology 26(2): 1-9, 2018; Article no.ARRB.39280 ISSN: 2347-565X, NLM ID: 101632869 Deterioration and Microbiological Evaluation of Information Bearing Paper in a Nigerian University 1* 1 F. Ayoade and S. D. Amona 1Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Redeemer’s University, PMB 230, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author FA designed the study, performed laboratory and statistical analyses, wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author SA managed the sample collection and laboratory analyses of the study. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/ARRB/2018/39280 Editor(s): (1) George Perry, Dean and Professor of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA. Reviewers: (1) Yassellis J. R. Ruiz, Universidad de Carabobo, Venezuela. (2) Modupe Elizabeth Ojewumi, Covenant University, Nigeria. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sciencedomain.org/review-history/24455 Received 1st December 2017 th Original Research Article Accepted 7 February 2018 Published 4th May 2018 ABSTRACT Using a completely randomized block design and Redeemer’s University as a case study, air samples at the University library, clinic and registry were evaluated for microorganisms that are capable of causing paper deterioration and the physical environments were assessed for ability to predispose paper to bio-deterioration. Using the sterile swab stick, microbial samples were collected from randomly selected books and documents exhibiting signs of deterioration such as brown discolouration (foxing) and, specific codes were assigned for tracking purposes. Air monitoring was done by using the open plate method. Distinct microbial isolates were sub-cultured on agar and subsequently identified using cultural, cell morphological and biochemical tests. Results showed that printed materials were stored at sub-optimal environment required for prevention of paper deterioration at all locations. Moreover, similar microorganisms found dominating the air in sampled locations were found on the foxing spots on deteriorating printed materials. The bacterial organisms recovered from the samples were Lactobacillus casei and Staphylococcus aureus while the fungal organisms were Aspergillus niger, A flavus, Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp. and Alternaria sp. Furthermore, Aspergillus flavus was the highest occurring fungal organism isolated, followed by _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]; Ayoade and Amona; ARRB, 26(2): 1-9, 2018; Article no.ARRB.39280 Alternaria sp., Rhizopus and Penicillium sp in descending order of occurrence. The highest colony count 1.7×10-5 cfu/cm2 for bacteria was found in books sampled from the library, while the lowest bacterial colony counts (0.2×10-5) were found in printed materials sampled from the clinic and the registry. The higher human activity such as improper book handling and discharge of aerosol by library users perhaps accounts for the highest occurrence of bio-deterioration organisms found at this location. These results underscore the importance of moderating human activities to limit bio- deterioration of printed materials. Other methods of protecting against bio-deterioration of printed materials such as providing suitable ambience in terms of optimum temperature, lighting and relative humidity for storage of printed items are recommended. Keywords: Paper deterioration; foxing; Penicillium sp. 1. INTRODUCTION Among several biotic and abiotic conditions that can hasten paper deterioration, microorganisms Paper, as a carrier for written information was are perhaps its main promoters [5]. Fungi are the presented in Europe in the twelfth century [1] most significant microbial agents of while the earliest archaeological fragments of biodeterioration of industrial paper stored in paper derive from the 2nd century BCE in China archives. The great genetic plasticity of these [2]. In spite of the global trend of storing organisms allows them to adapt to diverse information electronically, large amounts of vital environments, using virtually any class of information are still archived on paper as printed materials as substrate. Fungi produce a wide materials in the form of books, periodicals, collection of enzymes, including cellulase, journals, newspapers, patients’ medical records, amylase, and protease, which are accountable staff and students’ files, and similar documents. for their gross biodeterioration activity. The Most of these printed materials are however principally cellulosic nature (contains cellulose) of prone to deterioration and are kept at the risk of paper makes it vulnerable to attack by losing valued information. The overall behavior of microorganisms since cellulose is regarded as paper (chemical and mechanical properties, substrate and a viable energy source by these stability, degradation and so on) is strongly microorganisms. dependent upon the nature, origin, and characteristics of the components as well as their Biodeterioration of paper may begin even before interactions [2]. The structure of paper and its the paper is formed, pulpwood timber being properties depends upon the manufacturing attacked by a variety of basidiomycetes, which processes, which greatly differ, impacting on weaken the fibres. Pulp may be attacked by both durability and susceptibility of such printed basidiomycetes and a range of micro fungi, materials to agents of deterioration. The most leading to both decay and staining. The paper- predominant content of paper is cellulose, and to making process itself provides a wet, warm, and a lesser extent lignin and hemicelluloses and nutritious environment that is conducive to the other minor components [3]. formation of bacterial slimes, which cause clogging of papermakers’ felts and irregularities Deterioration of printed materials occurs in the and weakness in the finished product. form of undesirable change in the original state Restrictions on the discharge of wastewater of the materials due to interaction between the (known as white water) from paper mills and the object and the factors of destruction. The consequent recycling of water can also tend to undesirable effects of deterioration may manifest increase the risk of microbial contamination [6]. in the form of wear and tear, shrinkage, cracks, Microorganisms isolated from paper-pulps brittleness, discoloration, abrasion, dust and dirt include, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, accumulation and so on. Generally, factors Aspergillus species [7,8,9]. accountable for the deterioration of printed materials may be classified into two broad Finished paper, that is, the paper-sheet prepared categories; firstly, environmental factors such as by the refinement and processing of paper-pulp light, heat, humidity and moisture, dust and dirt, is also attacked by microorganisms. These including water. Secondly, biological factors such microorganisms, including various fungal as microorganisms, insects, rodents, and human (Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp.) and bacterial factors [4]. species (Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp.) have 2 Ayoade and Amona; ARRB, 26(2): 1-9, 2018; Article no.ARRB.39280 been reported to attack cellulose, causing brown growth of fungi and accumulations of dust and (foxing), black, or yellow discoloration and dirt will attract insect [15]. spotting. Other constituents of the paper such as lignin, also serves as substrate for certain Another biotic factor that is critical to paper microorganisms [10,11]. Moreover, the physical deterioration is human handling [16]. Casual and chemical processing of paper increases the attitude of library or registry users and staff proportion of amorphous sites along the cellulose towards books and paper materials as physical polymer as opposed to the crystalline sites which objects may help to exacerbate or minimize are more prevalent in native (unprocessed) damage to stored paper. Improper storage, faulty cellulose. The amorphous sites are more repairmen, rough handling, deliberate abuse, susceptible to biodeterioration [12] because folding the fore- edges of pages as a mark of these have higher bioreceptivity and hence more reading, marking by ball pen, mutilation, prone to deterioration. Also, even though the vandalism are all examples of deterioration of removal of lignin in papermaking processes books by human beings. contributes to the increase of the quality of paper, it amplifies its bioreceptivity, since lignin Apart from the outlined deterioration causes and increases the resistance of cellulose to effects, handling mould contaminated paper microorganisms [12]. objects can pose a serious health risk, because many of these microorganisms can be Paper as an organic substrate provides a good pathogenic and / or toxigenic [17,18]. Even when medium for the growth of certain fungi and the fungi are already dead, the fungal structures bacteria, especially cellulolytic strains. The can still contain active allergenic and toxic infection and colonisation of paper by fungal compounds to humans [13]. spores and propagates takes place mainly through air-dispersion, although direct inoculation Paper preservation is the proper handling of of both fungi and bacteria by human handling or works on paper. Works on paper generally refers by insects and mites, as vectors can occur. Fungi