Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National Museum
Sophisticated mummification using chemical preservation was prevalent in ancient Yemeni civilization as noted in the 4th century B.C. mummies of the National Museum of Yemen, Sana’a, used in this study. Five of these mummies were used to evaluate hydrolytic enzymes produced as a result of fungal con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Biochemistry Research International |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/481508 |
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| author | Khalid Mohammed Naji Qais Yusuf M. Abdullah Aida Qaseem M. AL-Zaqri Saeed M. Alghalibi |
| author_facet | Khalid Mohammed Naji Qais Yusuf M. Abdullah Aida Qaseem M. AL-Zaqri Saeed M. Alghalibi |
| author_sort | Khalid Mohammed Naji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sophisticated mummification using chemical preservation was prevalent in ancient Yemeni civilization as noted in the 4th century B.C. mummies of the National Museum of Yemen, Sana’a, used in this study. Five of these mummies were used to evaluate hydrolytic enzymes produced as a result of fungal contamination. Forty-seven fungal species were isolated, thereby reflecting a high degree of contamination which may have resulted from the poor ventilation and preservation system. Aspergillus was the most common genus isolated (48.9%). Fifteen isolates exhibited ability to produce cellulase (EC; 3.2.1.4), Aspergillus candidus being the highest cellulose-producer. Pectin lyase (PL, EC; 4.2.2.2) and pectin methyl esterase (PME, EC; 3.1.1.11) were produced by Trichoderma hamatum, whereas chitinase (EC; 3.2.1.14) was produced by Aspergillus niger. Protease activity was noted by only Cladosporium herbarum. The higher activities of these fungal hydrolytic enzymes represent the major threats of biodeterioration including deteriorating linen bandages as well as the mummy bodies. Therefore, it is recommended to improve the preservation system of the mummies at the National Museum to minimize the contamination up to the lowest level and protect the mummies from biodeterioration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f90f81c02c514ab5bf9aaa8565a47185 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-2247 2090-2255 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biochemistry Research International |
| spelling | doaj-art-f90f81c02c514ab5bf9aaa8565a471852025-02-03T01:27:26ZengWileyBiochemistry Research International2090-22472090-22552014-01-01201410.1155/2014/481508481508Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National MuseumKhalid Mohammed Naji0Qais Yusuf M. Abdullah1Aida Qaseem M. AL-Zaqri2Saeed M. Alghalibi3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sana’a University, Sana’a, YemenDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Sana’a University, Sana’a, YemenDepartment of Archaeology, Faculty of Art, Sana’a University, Sana’a, YemenDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Sana’a University, Sana’a, YemenSophisticated mummification using chemical preservation was prevalent in ancient Yemeni civilization as noted in the 4th century B.C. mummies of the National Museum of Yemen, Sana’a, used in this study. Five of these mummies were used to evaluate hydrolytic enzymes produced as a result of fungal contamination. Forty-seven fungal species were isolated, thereby reflecting a high degree of contamination which may have resulted from the poor ventilation and preservation system. Aspergillus was the most common genus isolated (48.9%). Fifteen isolates exhibited ability to produce cellulase (EC; 3.2.1.4), Aspergillus candidus being the highest cellulose-producer. Pectin lyase (PL, EC; 4.2.2.2) and pectin methyl esterase (PME, EC; 3.1.1.11) were produced by Trichoderma hamatum, whereas chitinase (EC; 3.2.1.14) was produced by Aspergillus niger. Protease activity was noted by only Cladosporium herbarum. The higher activities of these fungal hydrolytic enzymes represent the major threats of biodeterioration including deteriorating linen bandages as well as the mummy bodies. Therefore, it is recommended to improve the preservation system of the mummies at the National Museum to minimize the contamination up to the lowest level and protect the mummies from biodeterioration.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/481508 |
| spellingShingle | Khalid Mohammed Naji Qais Yusuf M. Abdullah Aida Qaseem M. AL-Zaqri Saeed M. Alghalibi Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National Museum Biochemistry Research International |
| title | Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National Museum |
| title_full | Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National Museum |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National Museum |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National Museum |
| title_short | Evaluating the Biodeterioration Enzymatic Activities of Fungal Contamination Isolated from Some Ancient Yemeni Mummies Preserved in the National Museum |
| title_sort | evaluating the biodeterioration enzymatic activities of fungal contamination isolated from some ancient yemeni mummies preserved in the national museum |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/481508 |
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