Features of physiological groups of microorganisms — participants in the diagenesis of bone remains

Abstract

Objective - to study the diversity of physiological groups of microorganisms that control the transformation of bone remains in nature. Traditional microbiological methods were used to study the cytological, physiological, biochemical and environmental properties of microorganisms isolated from the bone remains of Oryctolagus sp. 8 of 14 physiological groups of microorganisms - participants of diagenesis are established: ammonifiers, nitrifying bacteria, bacteria decomposing cellulose, causative agents of lactic acid and acetic acid fermentation, nitrogen fixators and denitrifying bacteria. Most of the identified physiological groups are in constant dynamics that is probably due to the uneven distribution in the soil of organic substances formed at different times in the process of microbial transformation of bone fragments. The analysis of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of these microorganisms' groups makes it possible not only to assess the intensity of the processes taking place over time but also to define the dependence on environmental factors such as soil acidity and ambient temperature. The results obtained can be used to obtain reliable data in forensic medical examination to solve issue about the prescription of death or the term of burial of bone remains.