New Inhibitory Effect by Green Synthesized Chalcone Derivatives on the Fungal Deterioration of Archaeological Egyptian Mummy, Egypt

Abstract

The biodeterioration of archaeological mummies is a severe issue, where fungi are the most significant agents deteriorating them. The inhibitory effect of [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-a]isoquinoline chalcone derivatives on the growth of thirteen deteriorated fungal species (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. terreus, Athelia bombacina, Aureobasidium iranianum, Byssochlamys spectabilis, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. ramotenellum, Penicillium crustosum, P. polonicum, Talaromyces atroroseus, T. minioluteus, and T. purpureogenus), which isolated and identified from ancient Egyptian mummy cartonnage located in El-Lahun regions, Fayoum government, Egypt were investigated. Antifungal activity and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested four chalcone derivatives with different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 mg/ml) were measured. The most efficient chalcone derivatives are chalcone derivative number 4 which causes the maximum significant inhibition in the growth of the thirteen isolated fungal species with MIC ranging from 1 to 3 mg/ml followed by chalcone derivatives number 6 with MIC ranging from 2 to 5 mg/ml. The use of chalcone derivative number 4 for the preservation of cultural assets should be considered for future applications.