Impact of fungi on contemporary and accelerated aged wool fibres

In the present study we observed structure and mechanical properties of fungal deteriorated wool textiles. Contemporary non-aged and accelerated aged wool textiles were inoculated with six different fungal strains, which were selected among several strains isolated from museum textile objects. Inoculated wool samples were incubated 8 and 20 weeks and then analyzed. Some structural changes occurred, which influenced mechanical properties of the fibers in a negative way. Several mechanical damages were observed after inoculation and tensile properties of the threads decreased. Accelerated aged fibers were more affected by fungi than non-aged fibers.