La relazione tra i sali e la crescita delle colonie di streptomiceti isolati dagli affreschi di alcune antiche tombe egiziane

Abstract

Eight out of the forty-six samples of Streptomyces representing the most potent deteriorating isolates were taken from scaled and stained mural paintings in the tombs at Tell Basta and Tanis, Lower Egypt. These isolates were identified using conventional and 16S rDNA sequencing methods and attributed to S. albidofuscus, S. ambofaciens, S. canaries, S. chibaensis, S. coelicolor, S. corchorusii, S. nigrifaciensand S. parvullus. The different salts occurring on the ancient Egyptian tombs, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnsium sulphates enhanced the growth of Streptomyces isolates till 10% of these salts. Streptomyces isolates adapted/adopted different defense mechanisms such as pigmentation, osmotic balance and amino acidproduction. The salts had a synergistic effect in the deterioration of the mural paintings through the cooperation of the mycelium of Streptomyces with salts in the mechanical deterioration of the stone surfaces.

Keywords

• tombe, Egitto, streptomiceti, sali, carotenoidi