An Eco-Friendly Approach Utilizing Green Synthesized Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles for Leather Conservation against a Fungal Strain, Penicillium expansum AL1, Involved in the Biodeterioration of a Historical Manuscript

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The main challenge in libraries, archives, and museums is the fungal deterioration of historical manuscripts (paper and leather), and an eco-friendly approach can be used to reduce or stop biodeterioration. Therefore, the current study examines the green synthesis of titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO(2)-NPs) using a green method to inhibit the growth of fungal strains isolated from deteriorated historical manuscripts. Fifteen fungal strains were involved in the deterioration of historical manuscripts dating back to the 16th century that were identified by traditional and molecular identification. In addition, their potential in biodeterioration was investigated by hydrolytic enzymatic activities. TiO(2)-NPs were synthesized using a probiotic bacterial extract as a safe method and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR). The safe concentration of synthesized TiO(2)-NPs that was used as a coating agent for leather to inhibit fungal growth was detected via the investigation of in vitro cytotoxicity against two normal cell lines (skin and lung). The experimental study showed that the leather without NP treatment and inoculated with the most potent fungal strain exhibited high deterioration compared with those coated with NPs and inoculated with fungal strain. ABSTRACT: The main hypothesis of the present research is investigating the efficacy of titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO(2)-NPs) to prevent the growth of fungal strains when applied on leather under an experimental study. Therefore, fifteen fungal strains were isolated from a deteriorated historical manuscript (papers and leathers) and identified by traditional methods and ITS sequence analysis, including Aspergillus chevalieri (one isolate), A. nidulans (two strains), A. flavus (four strains), A. cristatus (one strain), A. niger (one strain), Paecilomyces fulvus (two strains), Penicillium expansum (two strains), and P. citrinum (two strains). The enzymes cellulase, amylase, pectinase, and gelatinase, which play a crucial role in biodegradation, were highly active in these fungal strains. TiO(2)-NPs were formed using the cell-free filtrate of the probiotic bacterial strain, Lactobacillus plantarum, and characterized. Data showed that the TiO(2)-NPs were successfully formed with a spherical shape and anatase phase with sizes of 2–8 nm. Moreover, the EDX analysis revealed that the Ti and O ions occupied the main component with weight percentages of 41.66 and 31.76%, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity of TiO(2)-NPs toward two normal cell lines, WI38 and HFB4, showed a low toxicity effect against normal cells (IC(50) = 114.1 ± 8.1µg mL(−1) for Wi38, and 237.5 ± 3.5µg mL(−1) for HFB4). Therefore, concentrations of 100 μg mL(−1) were used to load on prepared leather samples before inoculation with fungal strain P. expansum AL1. The experimental study revealed that the loaded TiO(2)-NPs have the efficacy to inhibit fungal growth with percentages of 73.2 ± 2.5%, 84.2 ± 1.8%, and 88.8 ± 0.6% after 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. Also, the analyses including SEM, FTIR-ART, color change, and mechanical properties for leather inoculated with fungal strain AL1 in the absence of NPs showed high damage aspects compared to those inoculated with fungal strains in the presence of TiO(2)-NPs.