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All content in this area was uploaded by Guadalupe Pinar on Feb 06, 2017
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Content uploaded by Guadalupe Pinar
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Guadalupe Pinar on Feb 06, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Department of Biotechnology
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Biotechnologie
The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Italy: fungal
deterioration of mummies and contamination of the
indoor air
Katja Sterflinger1, Laura Barnabei1, Guadalupe Pinar1, Frank Maixner2and Dario Piombino-
Mascali2
1 Institute of Applied Microbiology, Dep. Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
2 EURAC- Institute for Mummies and the Iceman, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Introduction
In the crypt of the Capuchin Convent of Palermo nearly two
thousand mummies spanning the late 16th /mid-20th century are
laying in their coffins or shelves, or standing in line at the walls of
the crypt. Many of the mummies show serious signs of fast and
recent biodeterioration. Algal growth on the walls indicates high
humidity caused by infiltration of surface water. In order to
investigate the micro-biological status of the mummies as a basis
to prevent further biodeterioration a huge sampling campaign was
carried out in October 2010.
Materials and Methods
Samples were taken with sterile scalpels from different materials
of the mummies including skin, bones, straw used as stuffing
material, cloth, and leather. Fungi were isolated upon 2% MEA and
DG18. Pure cultures were identified based on their morphology
and sequencing of rDNA (ITSI-5.8S-ITSII).
In order to investigate the impact of microbial contamination on
the indoor air quality, air samples were taken and analyzed both
quantitatively and qualitatively (air sampler MAS 100 eco, 2%MEA,
DG18).
Results
First results showed that the surfaces of the mummies –including
the heads and clothes - are heavily contaminated with mold. There
is superficial growth of fungi but also a deep infection of skin,
remains of muscle fibres and stuffing material.
Thirty-three fungal species were found on and inside the mummy
materials, some of which are common airborne fungi and some of
which originate from the material used as stuffing for the clothing
of the mummies.
The most prominent airborn fungal contaminations are:
Penicillium brevicompactum, P. chrysogenum, P. expansum and
species of the genus Aspergillus. Fungal genera more related to
the mummies materials are: Botryotinia, Giberella, Didymella,
Fusarium, Verticillium, Tritirachium, Coprinus and Coniosporium.
In some areas of the crypt the amount of fungal spores in the air
reached more than 2000 spores / m3. From a medical point of view
this amount must already be classified as a potential health risk
for visitors (Table 1).
Table 1: fungal spores in the air of the crypt.
Conclusions
We suggest a broad cleaning campaign carried out by experienced
conservators with HEPA-filter equipped vacuum cleaners and a
significant improvement of the indoor climate through creation of
an airflow as immediate measures to prevent further
contamination and deterioration of this precious biocultural
heritage.
Sample CFU / m3air MEA2% CFU / m3air DG 18
CAL 1120 1240
CACL 1080 900
CL 1+2 1200 820
CL 3+4 800 880
CBS 2060 890
DCL 1140 1380
ES 1040 1080
FL 400 680
GL 340 510
ML 1040 1040
NL 1740 890
OL 460 520
PL 460 480
RN 1160 1080
Acknowledgement: We are very thankful to the friars of the Capucin catacoms for their kind help during the sampling campain, for their confidence in our
work and for giving us the possibility to take samples.