Laboratory modeling of glazed tiles inoculated with deteriorative fungi isolated from Masjed-e Jāmé Isfahan and evaluation of their impacts

The Jāmé Mosque of Isfahan or Masjed-e Jāmé is a historical mosque listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012. Tiles are one of the main materials used in this monument. This study was designed to assay the growth of fungi on the glazed tile and evaluating their alterations in the laboratory. Three fungi, Aspergillus niger and Parengyodontium album from outdoor of monument and Penicillium polonicum from indoor of monument, which were previously isolated, selected for this study. The axenic and mixed culture of the fungi was inoculated on glazed tiles (2.5 × 2.5 cm) with different colors of Mosaic, Anthracite blue and Soft fauna and incubated for 6 months at 28–30 °C. After six months incubation, the biodeterioration patterns were assessed via stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and colorimetry. The results showed that fungi have the ability to attach, grow and form crystals over the glazed tile surfaces. It seems that the growth pattern was affected by fungal species and color of tile. Modeling experiments can be used to evaluate fungal deterioration and to help prediction of appropriate time of restoration.