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FRANCO PALLA

Bacteria, fungi and arthropod pests collected on modern human mummies

  • Authors: Palla, F; Sineo, L; Manachini, BRI
  • Publication year: 2011
  • Type: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
  • Key words: biodeteriogens, biocenosis, conservation biology, hypogeic site.
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/60312

Abstract

A survey of opportunistic biocenosis (macro and micro organisms) as- sociated with a rest of human mummy samples was carried out to characterise the biocenosis and to detect the potential of biodeteriogens. The rests of the human modern mummies come from a hypogeic site. Since mummies are relevant from a historic-artistic-scientific point of view, an aspect of this study was the identifica- tion and characterization of the biological systems related with biodeterioration of organic matter. In a first step, different sampling methods, according to the taxa, were applied. Technological procedures were combined in order to have an interdisciplinary approach to the conservation actions for testing future restora- tion protocols. Specimens were collected, identified and characterized by Micros- copy (light, SEM, CLSM) and molecular analyses (DNA extraction, in vitro target sequence amplification, sequencing, sequence analysis). The results highlight a rather complex biocenonsis consisting of fungi, cyanobacteria, several insects and other arthropods.