Microbial deterioration of a mesoamerican and hispanic mummies

Abstract

This study is focused on the potential biodegradative microbiota presented in samples taken from two Spanish mummies located in Alpandeire (Málaga, Spain), from the 18th century and from another pre-Hispanic mummy known as "La Mexicana" originally from Perú and dated in 13th century. lt were obtained 15 isolates among filamentous fungi and bacterials. Microbial potential biodegradation capacity on mummies were evaluated studying cellulase, amylase and protease activity, because of the fundamental role its substrates play in biological and ornamental composition of mummified remains. Isolation strains were identified by PCR and Sanger sequenciation. A posible presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was also studied by PCR technique amplification of M. tuberculosis-specific CYP-141 gene. Tuberculosis reached its epidemic state in XVIII-XIX century and there are already evidence of its presence in pre-Columbian Americas.