Xerophilic fungi have a taste for Danish art and cultural heritage

Abstract

This pilot study examines the fungal colonisation of Anchers House, the Art Museums of Skagen, the former home of one of the most recognised couples in Scandinavian art history, Anna and Michael Ancher. The examination showed hyaline and white fungal colonies on museum artefacts but not on building structures and interiors. Analyses of air and surface samples showed growth of the xerophilic Aspergillus halophilicus, A. penicilloides, and A. magnivesiculatus able to grow at low water activity corresponding to low relative humidity (RH). Fungal colonisation adversely affects heritage preservation, occupational health, and audience access. Colonisation is hard to prevent because the xerophilic fungi can grow at RH as low as 58%, and the building is listed with heritage restrictions obstructing climate control. Peer-review under the responsibility of the organizing committee of the ICMB23.