IMPACT OF STORAGE CONDITIONS ON BIODETERIORATION OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CHILD MUMMIES BY XEROPHILIC FUNGI

Abstract

The study was conducted on a child's mummy aged 6 to 8 years, with a damaged skull. It wasfound in Dahshur, Egypt. 10 fungal species were isolated and identified. Fungi have beendetermined by PCR amplification and sequencing as follows: Cladosporium cladosporioides(LC325159), Penicillium chrysogenum (LC325162) and Aspergillus flavus (LC325160). Modernlinen samples were inoculated and incubated by the isolated fungi for a period of three months.Fungi decay results were assessed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDX) and XRay Diffraction (XRD). It was evident that NaCl (100%) have been used in the mummificationprocess and the three identified fungi could grow on linen even under high saline (NaCl)conditions. C. cladosporioides showed a considerable increment in hyphal production, while P.chrysogenum hyphae were filled with salt crystals. Growth of A. flavus covered linen surface, whilesalt crystals were found in the conidiophores. Xerophilic and Halophilic fungi grown and causeddecay of the mummy located in the burial chamber.