FUNGAL SPORA AND BIODETERIORATION IN SOME MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES OF HYDERABAD, INDIA

The fungal spores found inhabiting the museum and libraries were colle cted, isolated and identified employing standard air sampling and micr obiological methods. Altogether 49 fungal spores were identified. Sour ces of fungal inoculum were also identified. Among the fungal spora as sociated with museum and libraries, the spores of Aspergillus, Alterna ria and Cladosporium were found allergenic to some individuals while o thers were considered as biodeteriorants. The present paper also deals with the relative importance of fungal spores in the deterioration of materials as compared to other forms of object or book deterioration besides listing out the appropriate programs for conservation.