Unmasking the measles-like parchment discoloration: molecular and microanalytical approach.

ABSTRACT: Many ancient parchments are defaced by red or purple maculae associated with localized destruction of collagen fibres. Although the main characteristics of this damage were present in most of the manuscripts analysed by many authors, no common microbial or fungal denominator has been found so far, and little or no correspondence between the microbial or fungal species isolated from materials could be addressed. In this study, culture-independent molecular methods and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to identify fungal and bacterial communities on parchments affected by the purple stains. Protocols for c extraction and nucleic-acid-based strategies were selected for assays examining the community structure of fungi and bacteria on biodeteriorated parchment. Both SEM and molecula

SUBMITTER: Pinar G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4371641 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature