FUNGAL BIODETERIORATION: A CASE STUDY IN THE ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF THE PUNJAB UNIVERSITY
A. Shabbir, M. A Khan*, A.M. Khan*, M. Iqbal* and F. Ahmad
Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590 Pakistan
*Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590 Pakistan
ABSTRACT
The paper deals with occurrence of fungal deteriogens in indoor air and selected skeletons of pangolin, giraffe and demoiselle crane in zoological museum of Punjab University Lahore. A total of 9 fungal species belonging to 8 different genera were isolated from indoor environment of museum during March-April 2007. Aspergillus niger appeared to be the most dominant fungus of indoor environment of the museum with maximum number of colonies on PDA medium. Three species of Aspergillus and one species of Alternaria were found associated with open skeleton of giraffe. White fluffy mass of fungal groth was even obvious on skeleton joints. Maximum number of fungi (6) was isolated from skeleton of pangolin. Percentage of occurrence of A. niger colonies was the highest (40%) on Demoiselle crane after A. flavus from giraffe.
Keywords: Biodeterioration, Zoological Museum, Fungi, Punjab University. |
