Biodeterioration refers to the undesirable chemical or physical changes to materials caused by microorganisms or macroorganisms. It can impact a variety of materials including cellulose, food, wood, fabrics, teeth, and metals. The breakdown is often initiated by the formation of a biofilm. Common agents of biodeterioration include extracellular enzymes, bacteria, fungi, insects, mollusks, and rodents. Several factors determine the susceptibility of a material to biodeterioration such as accessibility, inoculum levels, and environmental conditions. Proper storage and maintenance can help control biodeterioration by regulating humidity, temperature, light exposure and pest control.

1. BIODETERIORATION
Dr. P. Sureshkumar, M.Sc., M.Phil., M.B.A., Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Marine Sciences
Annamalai University
Parangipettai-608 502
By

2. • De-te-ri-o-ra-tion
• Latin deteriorare means “to make worse”,
and deterior means "lower, worse”

3. • 1. Deterioration - a symptom of reduced quality or strength
impairment Or Deterioration is a process of changing to an
inferior state

4. • degradation (plural degradations)
• The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of
abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or
society; diminution; as, the degradation of a peer, a knight, a
general, or a bishop.

5. • Definition of BIODETERIORATION
• The breakdown of materials by micro and or macro organisms.
• (or)
• undesirable change in the properties of materials caused by
vital activities of organisms.
(or)
• Biodeterioration is the chemical or physical alteration of a
product that decreases its usefulness for its intended purpose,
caused by micro or macro organisms or their enzymes.
(or)

7. Biodeterioration vs. Biodegradation
• Biodegradation is also impairing things by living organisms,
so does that mean both terms have same meaning?
NO!
• Biodegradation
– The property of materials to be degraded or transferred
from one form to another form by any living beings
positive aspects of microbial activities
• Biodeterioration
– negative aspects of microbial/ other organisms activities
• Depends on the location of microbial activity

8. Fallen tree decaying Wet Rot decaying ceiling

9. Biodeterioration of solid materials

10. • Biodeterioration of solid materials
• Mostly starts with formation of a biofilm.

11. • Types of Biodeterioration
• 1. Physical or mechanical
• 2. Fouling or soiling
• 3.Chemical assimilator – using as food
• 4.Chemical dissimulator- Fecal and other waste materials
induce other organisms, etc.

12. • Biodeteriogenesis functions like a disease.
• Has three phases:
– Infection/Contamination
– Incubation
– Manifestation (Symptoms start appearing)

13. • Types of material :
• 1. Cellulose
• 2. Food
• 3. Wood
• 4. Fabrics
• 5. Teeth
• 6. Metals
• Susceptibility
• 1. Accessibility 2. Inoculum 3. Environmental condition

14. AGENTS :
• 1. Extracellular enzyme
• 2. Bacteria
• 3. Fungi
• 4. Insects
• 5. Mollusks
• 6. Worms
• 7. Rodents

15. Biodeterioration of paper

16. • Paper is primarily composed of cellulose and other substances
related to the origin of the raw materials used in its manufacture:
lignin, hemicelluloses, pectins, waxes, tannins, proteins and
mineral constituents.
• The content of these components varies according to the
papermaking process, the type of paper and the period of
production.

17. • The modern papers produced by industrial manufacturing
processes since the end of the seventeenth century.
• These are derived from the stem of wood or wood pulp and
contain a great amount of polymers and non-fibrous material
other than cellulose, as well as impurities.
• Modern papers are thus more vulnerable to micro organism
attack than older ones.

18. Biodetrioration of paper
 The deterioration
caused by biological
agents such as
microorganisms,
insects and rodents is
generally known as
biodeterioration.

19. • Almost all book components, be it paper, leather, textiles or
straw board used for binding are prone to attacks by these
biological agents.
• Bio-deterioration is very high in tropical hot and humid
climate like India.
• The climatic condition accelerates the growth and
multiplication of living organisms.
• Almost all the libraries are suffering from this
biodeterioration.

20. • These biological agents are divided into
• (i) Micro-organisms- Fungus or moulds, bacteria etc.
• (ii) Insects
• (iii) Rodents

21. • Bacteria ex. Cytophaga,
Cellvibrio and
Cellfalcicula, etc. – Is less
frequent than fungi.
• Micro-fungi Ex.
Chaetomium, Trichoderma
viride and Stackybotrys
atra, Euteromycetes
Cytophaga sps.

22. • Mould or mildew
• Fungal growth which found on books and book materials
known as Mould or mildew

23. Nature of detrioration on the paper
Cellulolytic strains damaging the chemical structure of paper and
noncellulolitic ones with non-specific action.
• Fungi
• Mildewing- cause alterations on paper producing various kinds
of stains, either round or irregular in shape and coloured in red,
violet, yellow, brown, black, etc spots . These stains are due
either to the presence of pigment mycelium or to the release of
coloured metabolites.
• Discoloration- Tannase enzyme from Aspergillus and
Penicilliumn hydrolysing the gallotannate.

24. Bacteria
• Bacteria attack paper less frequently than fungi.
• feltish and fragile - organic acids produced by bacteria ex.
oxalic, fumaric,succinic, citric, etc., which reduce the pH of
paper, conditioning the dynamics of bacterial and fungal
growth in secondary attacks. Frequently, bacterial and fungal
attack makes the paper feltish and fragile.

25. • Foxing- Is a color changes appeared in the paper. It appears
as rust coloured marks of different shapes, frequently as spots
on the paper. The organisms are factor which cause foxing is
not well understood.
• Consolidation- flooded or heavily moistened papers – bacteria
and fungal sps. Degrading the cellulosic materials.

26. Insects

27. • Anobiidae, Lyctidae and Dermestidae complete their life cycle
inside books.
• Dermestid beetles mainly eat leather bindings, but they burrow
into books, making tunnels where they pupate.
• Blattidae, Blattelidae, Lepismatidae and Termitidae live in
environments where books are kept, and paper, cardboard and
glue of vegetable or animal origin represent their source of
nourishment.
• Liposcelidae are the smallest insects in book biodeterioration
(1-2 mm), and are very common. They feed on paper, glue,
etc., and live especially on bindings. These insects also feed
microfungi developed on deteriorated surfaces, so they appear
frequently under high-humidity conditions.

28. • Factors attracts or induce biological deterioration of Paper
• Poor housekeeping
• Stagnant air
• Humidity
• Darkness and dinginess

29. • Preservation
• Good housekeeping and maintenance of optimum storage
condition is necessary to control the propagation of the insects.
• Good circulation of air using electric fans ventilators, exhaust fans
etc.,
• It is preferable to avoid contact of book racks with walls (at least
15 cm away from the walls) to eliminate humidity.
• Repairing and maintaining properly the cracks, crevices and loose
joints in floors and walls to avoid insects.
• Proper human handling is essential. Ex. Food and other organic
substances invites microbial growth.

30. Chemical treatment
• Periodic use of insecticidal powder of solution like lindane at
the dark corner walls, beneath the racks and almirahs is a good
precautionary measure to prevent insects.
• It is safe to use paradichloro-benzene as it acts both as an
insect repellent and insecticide.
• A simple practice is to keep naphthalene bricks on the shelves
as it repels the insects from coming to the book racks.

31. Herbals
• Dried neem leaf, Neem Seed powder, camphor tablets tied in
muslin bags should be kept inside the racks for keeping the
pests away.
• The foundation of all the new library buildings should be
given anti-insect treatment.

32. Leather

33. Leather
• Leather and Parchment is prepared by the tanning process . It
convert animal hides & skins into leather. The term hide is
used for the skin of large animals (cow or horses). Term skin
is used for small animals (sheep). The hide is consist of three
layers : epidermis 30 -35% protein: collagen dermis
subcutaneous.
• It is composed of collagen, some amount of keratin and lastin,
and a minimal amount of albumin, globulin and Collagen.
• Bacteria, Fungi, etc. are responsible for microbial
deterioration.

34. • Biodeterioration depends:
• Nature of raw material
• Processing and maintenance

35. • Deterioration of leather Proteinaceous material is prone to
attack, Especially during very early stage.
• Biodeterioration depends:
• Nature of raw material
• Processing and maintenance

36. • Lipolytic and proteolytic microorganisms damages the
leather.
• This may lead to damage, mark of leather.
• This is seriously occur where storage condition is very poor .

37. • Collagen can only be hydrolysed by specific enzymes,
collagenases, produced by some anaerobic bacteria of the
genus Clostridium.
• Bacterias such as Bacillus (e.g., B. mesenthericus),
Pseudomonas, Bacteroides, and Sarcina under aerobic
conditions can attack partially decomposed collagen.
• Fungi - Cladosporium, Fusarium, Ophiostoma,
Scopulariopsis, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichodernia, etc.,

38. • As a result of biodeterioration,
• Loses its original properties
• Becomes hard and brittle
• Deformation of the structure
• The microbial attack also causes variegated spots, white films
and fading of the texts.

39. • Leather are also susceptible to attack by insects:
• Dermestidae and Tineidae are the main families that can
selectively attack either collagenous or keratinous materials.
• Rarely cellulose and proteinaceous feeders cause damage to
parchment and leather materials.
• The insect damage appears as superficial erosion, deep
erosion, holes or loss of material.

40. • Prevention
• Incorporating the biocide promopol i.e. 2-bromo-nitropropane.
• Avoiding moisture condition.

41. Wood

42. Wood is a natural plant
material.
Organic compounds made
from cellulose.
Strengthened with lignin
deposits.
Cellulose is a rich source of
carbohydrate.
Wooden piers

43. BIODETERIORATION OF WOOD
Most valuable resources…. Important
product .. Xylem conducting tissue,
fibers or vessels or tracheids,
parenchymatus, Cell wall lignin &
cellulose polysaccharides :mannans
xylems & hemicelluloses.
•Types of wood :
• Angiosperms - hard wood
• Gymnosperms- soft wood Cellular material.

44. Durable Heartwoods

45. Wood biodeterioration:
Bacteria & Actinomycetes (myceliatedbacteria)
Soft rot (Ascomycetes; Fungi imperfecti)
White & brown rots (Higher Ascomycetes,
basidiomycetes)

46. Wood biodegradation Bacteria;
Three main groups:
Pit membrane bacteria
E.coli
Tunneling bacteria
Clostridium xylanolyticum
Erosion bacteria
CFB (Cytophaga-Flavobacterium -
Bacteroides) complex

48. Fungal Types
Molds/Stain Fungi
Soft rot fungi
Brown rot fungi
White rot fungi

50. • Insects
• Termites:
• Beetles
• flat-headed borers
• Powder-post beetles
• Bark beetles attack
• Carpenter Ants:
• Carpenter Bees:

51. Prevention of Wood deterioration
• Use dry and decay-free wood.
• Use durable or preservative-treated wood for places that are
unavoidable decay hazards.
• Keep all woodwork in dry condition; below 20% moisture
content.
• A good building design for dryness; drainage of the building
sites, ventilation of foundation, basement, and loft.
• Frequent inspection.
A. Preventive Measures Against Fungal Decay

52. B. Preventive Measures Against Insect Attacks
• Use kiln-dried wood; insects in all stages of development are
killed.
• Keep all woodwork dry (<20% MC); not only prevents those
insects require moisture, but also prevent decay and insects
that follow it.
• Avoid direct contact with soil, or use treated wood if contact is
necessary.
• Clean rotted or insect-infested wood, scraps, and stumps
around buildings; these are good media for wood destroying
insects.
• Frequent inspection.

53. • Wood Preservatives and Treatments
• A. Preservative oils:
• Creosote with coal tar as its main ingredient is used for
treating utility poles, pilings, and heavy bridge timbers. More
effective if fortified with penta(chlorophenol) or copper
naphthenates.

54. • B. Oil-borne preservatives:
• Penta (chlorophenol), prohibited for interior uses since 1980.
• Copper naphthanate and copper-8-quinonelinonate: low
toxicity to mammals, good for produce or fruit crates.
• Bocides (IPBC, tubeconazole and propiconazole), these group
of chemicals are very effective fungicides and insecticides
with low mammalian toxicity and low water leachability,
suitable for interior uses, such as for treating fine woodworks.

55. C. Water-borne preservatives:
• CCA (Chromated copper arsenate): Treated products must be tested before
use. Due to toxicity of chromium and arsenic compounds, CCA treated
lumber is not allowed since 2004 for structures with frequent human
contact. Other outdoor products such as utility poles, railroad ties, pilings
etc., can still be treated with CCA.
• ACQ (Ammoniacal copper Quat): It is formulated with 67% copper sulfate
and 33% quaternary ammonium compounds in ammonium hydroxide. This
is the alternative treating formulation where CCA is not allowed.
• Borates: Inorganic borates are very effective in protecting wood against
fungi and insects, but due to their water solubility they are unstable in
wood. borate-treated wood products are not suitable for use when exposed
to weather.

56. Treatments
A.Empty-cell Process: -150 psi -wood cells are emptied with
treatment leaving only a coating over the cell wall.
B. Full-cell Process: After treating, wood fibers are full of
treatments to obtain a high-level loading of preservatives ex.
Borates.

57. Textiles
• Textile includes fabric or cloth, furnishing, covers and
tarpaulins etc. Textile deterioration is complex phenomenon
and results from action of microorganisms, ultraviolet
radiations, chemicals or a combination of these factors.

58. Types and chemical nature
Natural
• Silk, Wool - cystine containing proteins, keratins
• Cotton, hemp, jute, rayon and bamboo- cellulose
Artificial
• Acrylic, nylon, polyester etc-synthetic polymers

59. Factors
• Products such as starch, derivatives of protein, fats and oils
used in finishing of textiles also promote microbial growth.
• Textile made from natural fibres is generally more susceptible
to biodeterioration than are the synthetic man made fibres.

60. • Variety of microorganisms like bacteria, actinomycetes, yeast
and moulds are found associated with deterioration of fabrics.
• Growth of microorganisms on textile may cause aesthetic and
structural damage.
• Aesthetic damage includes pigment discoloration, irregular
staining of gray, black and red colour and formation of a biofilm
over the surface of textile.
• Structural damage- weakening the strength of fiber.

61. Deterioration of Cellulose based textiles
• Fungi - species of Chaetomium, Fusarium, Aspergillus,
Myrothecium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Stachybotrys,
Penicillium and Trichoderma etc.
• Bacterial deteriogen - species of Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter,
Sarcina and Streptomyces etc.
• Heavy infestation by these organisms may result in rotting and
breakdown of the fibres and subsequent physical changes such
as loss of strength or flexibility

62. Silk -fibroin -mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori

63. Woolen- Keratin- Goat, Sheep and other animals fur
(Capra aegagrus hircus, Ovis Aries, etc.)

64. Silk and Wool
• Silk and wool - less susceptible - most organisms.
• But are susceptible to attack by proteolytic microorganisms.
• Bacteria - deteriorate wool - Bacillus mesentericus, B.
vulgatus, B. subtilis, B. cereus and B. putrificus.Species of
Streptomyces, Penicillium and Aspergillus, etc. also
• Microbial infection results in staining, musty odour and
rotting that make fibre unfit for use.
• Pure silk is less susceptible to microbial decomposition if
completely degummed.
• Further products such as starch, oils, dyestuffs etc used in the
finishing of textiles may promote microbial growth. White rot
fungi and anaerobic bacteria readily degrade dyestuff

65. Synthetic polymers
• Synthetic polymers like acrylic, nylon, polyester etc are
resistant to microbial decay.
• Natural fibres obtained from plants and animals are readily
deteriorated because they are made from polymerization of
sugar, amino acid etc.
• Further products such as starch, oils, dyestuffs etc used in the
finishing of textiles may promote microbial growth. White rot
fungi and anaerobic bacteria readily degrade dyestuff.

66. Preventive measures
• 1. Good ventilation
• 2. Moisture free condition
• 3. Edibles/ other food wastes
• 4. not using enzyme based detergent
• 5. using latest technologies like nano silver,
• 6. etc.,

67. Treatment
• Depends upon extent of microbial infestation.
• Mechanical treatment like holding the textile material under
vacuum removes most of the active growth.
• Gentle air circulation in the form of a dry, cool air flow is also
effective to accomplish this.
• Dry cleaning
• Use of biocides
• and in extreme cases textile should be sterilized or incinerated to
prevent spread of microorganisms.

68. Metals
• Corrosion is deterioration of useful properties in metals
/materials due to reactions with its environment. It may
be caused due to natural tendency of refined metals to
return to their natural state, mainly oxides.

69. • Metallic corrosion is a common phenomenon causing a heavy
loss to ships and marine structures; water supply and
distribution systems; air craft fuel systems, waste water
facilities; cooling water systems and power generation;
petrochemical and process industries, and paper mills.

70. • Microbial assisted corrosion (MAC) is a well recognized
problem in many industries. Microorganism such as bacteria,
fungi and algae under certain conditions can thrive and
accelerate the corrosion of many metals / alloys, for example
iron, copper, aluminium, lead and stainless steel even in
otherwise benign environments.
• Microbial corrosion is the deterioration of metals where
microorganisms (algae, fungi & bacteria) are involved directly
or indirectly.

71. Aerobic
• Sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) are aerobic microorganisms
ex. Thiobacillus thiooxidans, T. thioparus and T.
concretivorus
• 2FeS2 + 7O2 + 2H2O---- FeSO4 + 2H2SO4
• Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans (Ex. Gallionella ferruginea )
directly oxidise the iron into oxides.

72. Anaerobic
• Precipitated ferric hydroxide deposits on the surface of the
metal forming hard excrescences known as tubercles' which
are firmly adherent to the metal surface and set up an oxygen
concentration cell, leading to accelerated corrosion at the
bottom of the 'tubercle' by the growth of sulfate reducing
bacteria (SRB) ex. Desulfovibrio spp. and Desulfotomaculum
spp .
• The corrosion process under anaerobic condition is
much more complex than in conventional cases.

73. • Types of corrosion
• 1. Sulfide stress cracking (SSC)
• 2. Pitting corrosion
• 3. Graphitic corrosion

74. Prevention
• (i) Prevent entry of microorganisms.
• (ii) Choose materials, which are possessing resistance to
microbial corrosion.
• (iii) Application of heat and radiation wherever appropriate to
kill or retard the growth of microorganisms.
• (iv) Use biocides suitable for cooling waters and oil - water
systems.
• (v) For buried structures coatings and cathodic protection is
applied.

75. • Careful selection, utilization and proper Maintenance-
only preserve the material for long time.

76. • Thanks
for your patience