Isolation and characterization of fungi from deteriorated old manuscripts from Banyumas, collection of Library of Universitas Indonesia

Fungi are the main cause of old manuscript deterioration since manuscripts provide carbon source and nutrient for fungal growth. Isolation of fungi from deteriorated old manuscripts from Banyumas was carried out and their morphology, xerophilic, and cellulolytic nature were investigated. Two deteriorated old dluwang manuscripts showed fungal spores, brown spots, and discoloured paper. Based on morphological characteristics, 31 fungal isolates belonged to five genera (Aspergillus Micheli, Cladosporium Link, Curvularia Boedijn, Penicillium Link, Ulocladium Preuss). These genera have been reported from deteriorated old manuscripts from several historical places in Indonesia. Xerophilic character was shown by 90% (28 isolates) as determined by growth in DG18 medium, which indicated the ability to grow in dry substrates such as old manuscripts. Cellulolytic character was shown by 93.5% (29 isolates) as determined by growth in dluwang paper and merang paper, which indicated that the papers were used as carbon sources and substrates. After 30 days-incubation, the dry weight loss of merang paper was 0.28-51.2%. Result from Scanning Electron Microscopy showed that the deterioration of merang paper were caused by the isolates as shown by the presence of fungal structures. These results showed that the fungal isolates were able to deteriorate old manuscripts from Banyumas, Indonesia.