The present research was conducted to assess the role of aeromycoflora around world heritage sites of Taxila and its relation with biodeterioration of stone monuments. The aerial mycoflora of six archaeological sites was recorded for one year to monitor the seasonal variations and transportation of fungal spores. Thirty-two fungal species belonging to twenty genera were isolated throughout the whole sampling period. The fungal genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Helminthosporium, Curvularia and Penicillium were prevalent, whereas at species level Alternaria alternata was dominant followed by Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Fusarium oxysporum. A well-marked qualitative and quantitative seasonal variation in aeromycoflora of selected sites was recorded. Some fungal species showed restricted occurrence to a specific archaeological site of Taxila. The comparative study of aerial and surface mycoflora revealed that dominant aerial fungal species were involved in biodeterioration of monuments. The chemical composition of fungal patinas and biofilm was also carried out, and it was found that calcite, gypsum and calcium oxalate were the main minerals detected by X-ray diffraction technique. The dominant fungal species were also determined for their ability to produce organic acids in broth medium. The fungal species produce a significant amount of citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, fumaric acid and gluconic acid. The different surface alterations of archaeological monuments of Taxila are due to the metabolic activities of fungal species growing on it. The present study is the first investigation about microbial decay of stone monuments of Taxila, and the results of this study will help to make a strategy for prevention of further biodeterioration of these monuments.

中文翻译：

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巴基斯坦塔西拉考古遗迹的生物退化

本研究旨在评估塔克西拉世界遗产地周围气菌群的作用及其与石碑生物退化的关系。对六个考古遗址的空气菌群进行了一年的记录，以监测真菌孢子的季节性变化和运输。在整个采样期间，分离出属于 20 个属的 32 种真菌。真菌属链格孢属、曲霉属、枝孢霉属、镰刀菌属、毛霉属、长丝孢霉属、弯孢霉属和青霉属普遍存在，而在物种水平上，链格孢霉属占优势，其次是黑曲霉、草本枝孢霉属、产黄青霉属和尖孢镰刀菌属。记录了选定地点的气菌群明显的定性和定量季节性变化。一些真菌物种在塔克西拉的特定考古遗址中的出现受到限制。空中和表面菌群的比较研究表明，主要的空中真菌物种参与了古迹的生物退化。还进行了真菌铜绿和生物膜的化学成分分析，发现方解石、石膏和草酸钙是X射线衍射技术检测到的主要矿物质。还确定了优势真菌物种在肉汤培养基中产生有机酸的能力。真菌物种产生大量的柠檬酸、乙酸、草酸、富马酸和葡萄糖酸。塔克西拉考古遗迹的不同表面变化是由于生长在其上的真菌物种的代谢活动造成的。