Deterioration and Microbiological Evaluation of Information Bearing Paper in a Nigerian University

5 Using a completely randomized block design and Redeemer’s University as a case study, air 6 samples at the University library, clinic and registry were evaluated for microorganisms that are 7 capable of causing paper deterioration and the physical environments were assessed for ability to 8 predispose paper to bio-deterioration. Using the sterile swab stick, microbial samples were 9 collected from randomly selected books and documents exhibiting signs of deterioration such as 10 brown discolouration (foxing) and, specific codes were assigned for tracking purposes. Air 11 monitoring was done by using the open plate method. Distinct microbial isolates were sub12 cultured on agar and subsequently identified using cultural, cell morphological and biochemical 13 tests. Results showed that printed materials were stored at sub-optimal environment required for 14 prevention of paper deterioration at all locations. Moreover, similar microorganisms found 15 dominating the air in sampled locations were found on the foxing spots on deteriorating printed 16 materials. The bacterial organisms recovered from the samples were Lactobacillus casei and 17 Staphylococcus aureus while the fungal organisms were Aspergillus niger, A flavus, Penicillium 18 sp., Rhizopus sp and Alternaria sp. Furthermore, Aspergillus flavus was the highest occurring 19 fungal organism isolated, followed by Alternaria sp., Rhizopus and Penicillium sp in descending 20 order of occurrence. The highest colony count 1.7×105cfu/cm for bacteria was found in books 21 sampled from the library, while the lowest bacterial colony counts (0.2×10) were found in 22 printed materials sampled from the clinic and the registry. The higher human activity such as 23 improper book handling and discharge of aerosol by library users perhaps accounts for the 24 highest occurrence of bio-deterioration organisms found at this location. These results 25 underscore the importance of moderating human activities to limit bio-deterioration of printed 26 materials. Other methods of protecting against bio-deterioration of printed materials such as 27 providing suitable ambience in terms of optimum temperature, lighting and relative humidity for 28 storage of printed items are recommended. 29 2 | P a g e