Lipase and esterase activity in soils from ancient burial vessels

Abstract

The activity of lipolytic enzymes was assessed using the microplate method using heteromolecular exchange in soils from the bottom of burial vessels, followed by cluster analysis. Groups with a contrasting ratio of lipases C12 - C18 and esterases C4 - C8 were identified in a sample that included 57 burial pots aged two to three thousand years. The total lipolytic activity of soil samples from dishes with the presumptive initial presence of fat-containing food products was above 6% of the maximum value within the sample. Inhibition of esterases in the presence of high concentrations of fatty acids is reflected in the extremely low relative values of esterase activity of the soil microbial community against the background of maximum activity levels of C18 and C12 lipases in two groups of pots. In three groups, esterase activity was observed against the background of high relative activity of C16 lipases, average relative activity of C18 lipases and extremely low activity of true lipases. In the group of pots with high total lipolytic activity (with the exception of certain extreme values of this indicator), the proportion of true lipase activity was 1.7-1.8 times higher compared to the proportion of esterase activity. The grouping of burial vessels by the ratio of lipase and esterase activity reflects the characteristics of the funeral food, while the absolute values of enzyme activity among selected vessels with the highest total lipolytic activity are grouped according to the type of burial.