Diversity and Potential Pathogenicity of Microscopic Fungi in the Archaeological Museum Park of Tunja at the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia.

Ana Yervid Rodríguez Sáenz; Bernardo Meléndez Álvarez; Pedro María Argüello García

doi:10.14568/cp39647

Authors

Ana Yervid Rodríguez Sáenz Grupo de investigación atención primaria en salud, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Calle 24 No 5-63, Antiguo Hospital San Rafael, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2904-7016
Bernardo Meléndez Álvarez Grupo de investigación atención primaria en salud, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Calle 24 No 5-63, Antiguo Hospital San Rafael, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7277-5062
Pedro María Argüello García Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3570-2283

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14568/cp39647

Keywords:

Fungal identification, Biodeterioration, Fungal diversity, Museum conservation, Pathogenic risk

Abstract

This study assessed the diversity of microscopic fungi in two areas of the Archaeological Museum Park of Tunja, (Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia), aiming to anlyze their potential impact on human health and their capacity to cause biodeterioration of heritage materials. A total of 50 samples were collected from air, surfaces, bioanthropological remains, and ceramic objects. These samples were cultured on Sabouraud agar with chloramphenicol (0,05 g/L) and incubated at a temperature of 25 °C. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses identified 20 genera of fungi and yeasts, with Penicillium (26,9 %), Cladosporium (15,6 %), Fusarium (14,4 %), and Mucor (5,4 %) being the most prevalent. These genera have been reported in the literature for their association with both infectious processes and material degradation. The findings indicate a dual potential risk, sanitary and conservation-related, highlighting the need to implement monitoring and environmental control strategies to protect both public health and culture heritage.

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