Assessment of airborne and surface microbes on leather cultural relics in museums of arid regions represented by xinjiang, China

This study investigates the airborne microbial contamination in three museums located in the dry region of Xinjiang region, China-Bayingolin, Hami, and Turpan. Airborne microbial concentrations in these museums were found to be relatively low, ranging from 7.5 to 38.3 CFU/m³, which is advantageous for the preservation of cultural relics, especially in comparison to humid regions where higher microbial concentrations have been reported. The microbial communities were dominated by bacteria, with Firmicutes being the most abundant phylum, followed by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Notably, Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., and Staphylococcus hominis were identified as potential threats to the degradation of leather cultural relics. Additionally, Mycobacterium sp., Pantoea sp., and Priestia aryabhattai were first identified in the context of cultural heritage conservation. Metagenomic sequencing revealed a significant presence of salt-tolerant, spore-forming bacteria, which are characteristic of dry environments. Antibacterial tests showed that 0.5% K100 exhibited the best antimicrobial effect. This study provides valuable insights into the microbial ecology of museums in rid climates and suggests the need for targeted preservation strategies to mitigate microbial-induced biodeterioration, particularly through the use of antimicrobial agents and environmental management.