ABSTRACT
Biofilms from painted surfaces were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using fungal specific primers ITS 1F and ITS4, followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The identification of the species represented by the major bands can be, to some extent, inferred by running known species on the same DGGE gel. This chapter provides a molecular technique, PCR followed by DGGE, which can be used for the rapid analysis of fungal contamination on painted surfaces. Various factors can affect the application of the PCR reaction to fungal biofilms on paint. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentration may be reduced by lysis inefficiency, DNA degradation during the extraction and reaction-inhibiting contaminants. Various environmental agents, such as temperature, chemicals, weathering, radiation and biological attack, are involved in durability of constructional materials. Microorganisms can be responsible for deterioration of historic buildings. The chapter utilizes molecular techniques to detect fungal growth on paint and assess the possibility for the use of this technique on historic buildings.
