Microbiological Impacts on the Cultural Heritage Dr. Kavita Sharma Head Botany, Arts and Commerce Girls College, Raipur,Chhattisgarh INDIA drktsharma@gmail.com Abstract- This paper focuses on the colonization of art works by microorganisms and its effects. Fungal ability in production of pigments and organic acids have crucial role in discoloration and degradation of different types of stone in cultural heritage objects. Additionally, stone objects may support novel communities of microorganisms that are active in Biodeterioration process. The problem of deterioration of ancient monuments caused by Microbial agent, of which fungi play an important role in the deterioration. Present investigation focuses on mycobial survey of The cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh and study carried out March 2010 to February 2011. During the investigation period 18 fungal species were isolated from the surface of monument which are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Curvularia, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Rhizopus. reported as dominant fungal type in the site. Keywords- Biodeterioration, Cladosporium, cultural heritage, Fungi. INTRODUCTION The harmful effect by the colonisting of micro-organism on the monuments is scientifically known as biodeterioration. The monuments which are made of value ancient stones like marbles and granite which are affected by the harmful fungal activities fungal species are important agent responsible for damage of monuments. Colonization of microorganisms on monuments and biodeterioration are usually linked to environmental conditions. The most significant parameters affecting microbial growth are represented by physical factors, mainly moisture, temperature, and light, as well as by the chemical nature of the substratum. Microorganisms always present in nature and affect our daily life directly or indirectly. The aim of the present paper was to study the airborne mycoflora on monument surface and how can minimize the growth of fungi in the surface of precious collection. MATERIALS AND METHODS For isolation of surface mycoflora: During the investigation period PDA media was used for the isolation of microorganisms. Sample were collected from the surface of temple and artifacts of all the months in the sterile polythene bags and prepared the solution in sterilized distilled water. Few drops of sample pour in the petridishes and kept this petridishes at 28±1◦C for 7 days for incubation (Grover et.al. 2007). At the end of incubation period fungal colonies were counted, isolated and identified with the help of available literature and finally send this culture to authentic authority: National center of fungal taxonomy Delhi for identification. The First International Conference on Interdisciplinary Research and Development, 31 May - 1 June 2011, Thailand 56.1