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2643186 
Journal Article 
Analysis of the sensitivity of microorganisms contaminating museums and archives to silver nanoparticles 
Gutarowska, B; Skora, J; Zduniak, K; Rembisz, D 
2012 
1 
International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation
ISSN: 0964-8305
EISSN: 1879-0208 
68 
7-17 
WOS:000302665300002 
The results of microbial contamination analysis of air and surfaces in six different museums and archives in Poland are presented. It was shown that the level of microbial contamination of the air ranged from 1.5 x 10(2) to 7.0 x 10(3) cfu M-3; contamination of the surfaces was 1.4 x 10(2) to 1.7 x 10(4) cfu 100 cm(-2). The most common fungi contaminating museums and archives were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Mucor, Rhizopus, Trichoderma, Paeciliomyces, Aureobasidium, Botrytis and Chrysonila: and from bacteria Bacillus. Some potentially allergenic and toxic species were diagnosed: Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus versicolor, Staphylococcus aureus. For 32 strains of bacteria and fungi with the highest occurring frequency in the analyzed areas and for 6 strains of ATCC collection, MIC and MBC for the preparation of nanosilver were determined. A concentration of nanosilver with a particle size 10-100 nm at the level of 90 ppm is effective in removing the microorganisms present on the surface of objects, while a concentration of 45 ppm removed 94% of all microorganisms except for the resistant Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus xylosus. It was shown that a preparation of silver nanoparticles can be used as a disinfectant for the surface of historical objects and archival documents. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
Air microorganisms; Museums; Libraries; Archives; Silver nanoparticles; Disinfection