Protection of paper manuscripts by antimicrobial polyphenolic compounds from fungal extracts and antioxidant nanoparticles

Abstract This study describes a novel method for protecting paper manuscripts with antifungal and antioxidant compounds. Polyphenolic compounds, such as methyl gallate, and nanoparticles like cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) were used. These compounds were utilized against the fungi that were isolated and identified from a historical paper manuscript using molecular sequence methods, Aspergillus fumigatus (AUMC16601) and Aspergillus terreus (AUMC16602). They were evaluated at concentrations ranging from 5 to 200 μg/mL. Various examinations and analyses in assessing the efficiency of the compounds applied with the poultice’s method such as disc diffusion assay, scanning electron microscope with EDX analysis, transmission electron microscope, atom force microscope, zeta potential, size Distribution, X-ray diffraction analysis, fourier transform infrared analysis, pH measurements, colorimetry, and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The study indicated a slight inhibition by methyl gallate against fungi. CeO 2 NPs at a concentration of 18.11 μg/mL were the most effective on paper manuscripts with iron gall ink.