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Biodeterioration of epoxy resin: a microbial survey through culture‐independent and culture‐dependent approaches
Author(s) -
Pangallo Domenico,
Bučková Maria,
Kraková Lucia,
Puškárová Andrea,
Šaková Nikoleta,
Grivalský Tomaš,
Chovanová Katarina,
Zemánková Milina
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.12523
Subject(s) - biology , internal transcribed spacer , cyanobacteria , 16s ribosomal rna , botany , bacteria , ribosomal rna , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Summary During the 20th century, synthetic polymers were greatly used in the field of art. In particular, the epoxy resins were used for both conservation and for creating sculptures. The biodeterioration of these polymers has not been adequately studied. The aim of this investigation was to examine the microflora responsible for the deterioration of an epoxy statue exposed to outdoor conditions. Fungal and bacterial microflora were isolated from the art object, clustered by fluorescence‐ ITS (internal transcribed spacer), identified by ITS and 16 S rRNA sequencing and tested for their lipolytic abilities by three agar assays. Different algal, bacterial, cyanobacterial and fungal clone libraries were constructed. The surrounding airborne microflora was analyzed using culture‐dependent and culture‐independent approaches. The results indicated the presence, on the statue surface, of an interesting and differentiate microbial community composed of rock‐inhabiting members, algal photobionts ( T rebouxia spp., C hloroidium ellipsoideum and C hlorella angustoellipsoidea ), Cyanobacteria ( L eptolyngbya sp., P hormidium sp., C ylindrospermum stagnale , H assallia byssoidea and G eitlerinema sp.), black yeasts related to the species F riedmanniomyces endolithicus , P seudotaeniolina globosa , P haeococcomyces catenatus and C atenulostroma germanicum and several plant‐associated fungi. This investigation provides new information on the potential microfloral inhabitants of epoxy resin discovering a new ecological niche, occupied mainly by several members of rock‐colonizing microbial species.