Lipase and Esterase Activity in Soils from Ancient Burial Vessels

The activity of lipolytic enzymes was evaluated by the microplate method using heteromolecular exchange in soils from the bottom of the burial ware, followed by cluster analysis. Groups with a contrasting ratio of C12–C18 lipases and C4–C8 esterases were identified in a sample including 57 burial pots aged 2000 to 3000 years. The total lipolytic activity of soil samples from ware with an estimated initial presence of fat-containing funeral food products was above 6% of the maximum value within the sample. The inhibition of esterases in the presence of high concentrations of fatty acids was reflected in extremely low relative esterase activity of the soil microbial community at maximum C18 and C12 lipase activity in two groups of pots. In three groups, esterase activity was observed at 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 than the proportion of esterase activity. The grouping of funeral dishes according to the ratio of lipase and esterase activity reflected the characteristics of funeral food, whereas the absolute values of enzyme activity among selected vessels with the highest total lipolytic activity were grouped according to the type of burial.