Elsevier

Journal of Cultural Heritage

Volume 24, March–April 2017, Pages 69-77
Journal of Cultural Heritage

Original article
Disinfection of archival documents using thyme essential oil, silver nanoparticles misting and low temperature plasma

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2016.10.011Get rights and content

Highlights

  • LTP, TEO, and AgNPs were found to be bacteriostatic and fungistatic.

  • RNA concentration was a good marker of antimicrobial activity of disinfection.

  • Disinfection methods did not alter the mechanical and optical properties of paper.

  • Tested disinfection methods can be an alternative to currently available ones.

Abstract

The research aim was to determine the effectiveness of disinfection methods: thyme essential oil microatmosphere (TEO), silver nanoparticles misting (AgNPs), and low temperature plasma (LTP) by culture-dependent method and RNA analysis. In addition, we examined the influence of disinfection on mechanical and optical properties of paper from historical books with different levels of microbial contamination. All disinfection methods were generally bacteriostatic and fungistatic. The AgNPs misting method was more effective for bacterial inhibition (R = 60–100%), than LTP (R = 25–100%) and TEO (R = 12–100%); all tested methods were less effective for fungi (R = 0–99.8%). TEO exhibits a broader spectrum of fungicidal activity compared to AgNPs and LTP. The antimicrobial effectiveness depended on the area from where the microorganisms were isolated and their sensitivity to the active agent. A higher disinfection effectiveness was observed for books with higher levels of microbial contamination. RNA concentration was a good marker of antimicrobial activity of disinfection. RNA amount decreased by 95–100% after disinfection with LTP and TEO, and by 29–89% after AgNPs disinfection. Disinfection of paper from historical books with LTP, AgNPs and TEO did not significantly influence or have a positive effect on the mechanical and optical properties of paper from tested historical books. We show that LTP, TEO, and AgNPs can be used as microbiostatics, alternatively to the currently available methods.

Section snippets

Research aim

Archival documents and library collections are of great cultural value. Due to their chemical composition, are rapidly undergo biodeterioration. To inhibit this process, reduce the spread of microbial contamination to other objects, and to protect personnel, archives should be disinfected before any other conservation treatment. Scientists are still looking for new, alternative methods for disinfecting archival materials with high efficiency while ensuring the safety of treated materials,

Books

For our study, two books with visible signs of biodeterioration such as fungal growth, discoloration, permanent staining (seen in book Nos. 1 and 2) and musty odour (observed only in book no. 2) were chosen. Book no. 1 was obtained from Jozef Pilsudski Regional and Municipal Public Library in Lodz, Poland and book no. 2 was obtained from National Archive in Prague, Czech Republic. The characteristic of the books studied is presented in Table 1.

Microbial contamination analysis

Samples for microbial analysis were taken from 4

Results

All disinfection methods were generally bacteriostatic and fungistatic. The microbial reduction level obtained was 12–100%, except in the fore edge and the inside page of book no. 1 (no fungal number reduction) (Table 3). The AgNPs misting was the most effective method, it reduced bacterial number by 0.5–4 log (reduction level 60–100%). Both methods, LTP and TEO, reduced bacterial number by 0.5–5 log (reduction 0–100%) (Fig. 1, Fig. 2; Table 3). All tested methods were less effective against

Discussion

The applied disinfection methods: AgNPs, TEO, LTP were microbiostatic, with better effectiveness for bacteria than fungi. The most effective antibacterial method was AgNPs (reduction level: 60–100%), followed by LTP (25–100%) and TEO (12–100%). The effectiveness against fungi was lower than for bacteria and at the same level for all three tested methods (0–99.8%). The decrease in the microorganism number reached up to 4–5 log for bacteria, and only up to 1.5 log for fungi.

Based on the

Conclusions

It was shown that silver nanoparticle misting, thyme essential oil microatmosphere and low temperature plasma can be used as microbiostatics, alternatively to methods currently available. These tested methods show better bacteriostatic than fungistatic activity. For higher effectiveness, the disinfection processes need to be optimized taking into account the type of microorganisms inhabiting the books. The disinfection methods slightly influenced the structural, mechanical and optical

Acknowledgments

These studies were carried out with a Small Grant “Modern approach for biodeterioration assessment and disinfection of historical book collections”, co-funded by the International Visegrad Fund (Grant No. 11530002) and VEGA project “Innovative disinfection strategies: the essential oils effect on microflora and materials of cultural heritage objects” (Project No. 2/0061/17).

Authors sincerely thank: Barbara Czajka, M.A. from the Jozef Pilsudski Regional and Municipal Public Library in Lodz,

References (51)

  • B. Gutarowska et al.

    Optimization and application of the misting method with silver nanoparticles for disinfection of the historical objects

    Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad.

    (2012)
  • V. Scholtz et al.

    Nonthermal plasma – a tool for decontamination and disinfection

    Biotechnol. Adv.

    (2015)
  • L. Krakova et al.

    A multiphasic approach for investigation of the microbial diversity and its biodegradative abilities in historical paper and parchment documents

    Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad.

    (2012)
  • M.S. Rakotonirainy et al.

    Screening for antifungal activity of essential oils and related compounds to control the biocontamination in libraries and archives storage areas

    Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad.

    (2005)
  • J.T. Keer et al.

    Molecular methods for the assessment of bacterial viability

    J. Microbiol. Methods

    (2003)
  • R. Kowalik

    Microbiodeterioration of library materials

    Restaurator

    (1980)
  • J. Karbowska-Berent

    Dezynfekcja chemiczna zabytków na podłożu papierowym – skuteczność i zagrożenia

    (2014)
  • M.-L.E. Florian

    Fungal Facts: Solving Fungal Problems in Heritage Collections

    (2002)
  • M. Wiszniewska et al.

    Occupational exposure and sensitization to fungi among museum workers

    Occup. Med. (Chic. Ill)

    (2009)
  • IARC (International Agency on Research on Cancer)

    Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol

    (2006)
  • IARC (International Agency on Research on Cancer)

    1,3-Butadiene, Ethylene Oxide and Vinyl Halides (Vinyl Fluoride Vinyl Chloride and Vinyl Bromide)

    (2008)
  • W. Paulus

    Directory of Microbicides for the Protection of Materials – A Handbook

    (2004)
  • T. Velikova et al.

    The use of biocides for the protection of library documents: before and now

  • D. Kalemba et al.

    Antibacterial and antifungal properties of essential oils

    Curr. Med. Chem.

    (2003)
  • S. Borrego et al.

    Determination of indoor air quality in archives and biodeterioration of the documentary heritage

    ISRN Microbiol.

    (2012)
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text