A Study of the Removal and Prevention of Fungal Stains on Paper

Abstract
A method for the rapid production of specific fungal stains on paper is described and it is shown that the stained paper can be used for studying practicable approaches to the removal and prevention of fungal stains on paper artworks. The fungal species chosen for this investigation are frequently found on paper and produce characteristic stains: Alternaria solani (black stains), Penicillium notatum (yellow-green stains), Fusarium oxysporum (purple-pink stains), and Chaetomium globosum (yellow-grayish-brown stains). The effects of solvent treatment and laser irradiation on stains produced by the individual fungi are as follows: Exposure to 1,4-dioxane for 24 hours completely removes the stain produced by F. oxysporum and significantly reduces stains produced by P. notatum and C. globosum. Exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide for 24 hours significantly reduces the stains produced by C. globosum and P. notatum and slightly reduces the stain produced by F. oxysporum. Exposure to pyridine for 24 hours partially removes the stains produced by C. globosum and F. oxysporum.