Molecular and Microscopical Investigation of the Microflora Inhabiting a Deteriorated Italian Manuscript Dated from the Thirteenth Century

• Published in: Microbial ecology Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 69 - 80
• Main Authors: Michaelsen, Astrid, Piñar, Guadalupe, Pinzari, Flavia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York New York : Springer-Verlag 01.07.2010; Springer Science + Business Media, Inc; Springer-Verlag; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aspergillus; Bacillus; Bacteria; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Contaminants; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; DNA, Fungal - genetics; Ecology; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Environmental Microbiology; Fibers; Fungi; Fungi - genetics; Fungi - isolation & purification; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Inks; Libraries; Life Sciences; Literature; Manuscripts as Topic; Microbial contamination; Microbial Ecology; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Mycology; Nature Conservation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Special Section on Microbial Ecology of Heritage Materials; Spores, Fungal - isolation & purification; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Paper Sample; Clone Library; Cellulose Fiber; Bacterial Clone; Fungal Community
• ISSN: 0095-3628; 1432-184X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00248-010-9667-9

This case study shows the application of nontraditional diagnostic methods to investigate the microbial consortia inhabiting an ancient manuscript. The manuscript was suspected to be biologically deteriorated and SEM observations showed the presence of fungal spores attached to fibers, but classic culturing methods did not succeed in isolating microbial contaminants. Therefore, molecular methods, including PCR, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and clone libraries, were used as a sensitive alternative to conventional cultivation techniques. DGGE fingerprints revealed a high biodiversity of both bacteria and fungi inhabiting the manuscript. DNA sequence analysis confirmed the existence of fungi and bacteria in manuscript samples. A number of fungal clones identified on the manuscript showed similarity to fungal species inhabiting dry or saline environments, suggesting that the manuscript environment selects for osmophilic or xerophilic fungal species. Most of the bacterial sequences retrieved from the manuscript belong to phylotypes with cellulolytic activities.