Airborne fungi in the region of Cubatão, São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

From March/1993 to March/1995, airborne fungi were isolated from the "Vale do Rio Moji" (highly affected by the air pollution caused by fertilizer industries, steel works, cement factories and chemical products industries, among others) and from the "Vale do Rio Pilões" (less affected by the air pollution), both in the municipality of Cubatão, São Paulo State, Brazil, by exposing Petri dishes with potato dextrose agar medium, placed one meter from the ground, during 5 min. After 5 days of incubation at 20ºC, the colonies of the fungi were purified and identified, resulting in the identification of 39 taxa, three unidentified strains of Fusarium and non-sporulating cultures. A total of 28 taxa, one unidentified strain of Fusarium and non-sporulating fungi (71 records) were isolated in the "Vale do Rio Moji" and 29 taxa, two unidentified strains of Fusarium and non-sporulating fungi (72 records) in the "Vale do Rio Pilões. The airborne mycota of the higher polluted site presented 17 common, 12 rare and only one constant fungal species. In the other site, the airborne mycota was composed by 19 common, 10 rare and two constant fungal species. Among the obtained fungi, at least 12 taxa were reported as opportunistic fungi, 26 have been mentioned related to plant diseases and eight have been associated to allergy problems. The similarity Index of Sörensen between the mycotas, corresponding to 58%, may be considered low, and is probably justified by the air pollution, that mainly distinguish the two studied areas.

Trichoderma harzianum: occurrence in the air and clinical significance

“…This difference in the periodicity pattern might be attributed to the differences in geographical location, climate and edaphic factors of both sampling sites. The seasonal fluctuation of T. harzianum as found in our study was partially consistent with the findings of an earlier survey conducted in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil (Schoenlein-Crusius et al 2001). Higher concentration level of airborne T. harzianum spore was recorded in this study compared to that Fig.…”

Diversity and dynamics of airborne fungi in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil

“…In Brazil, the occurrence of airborne fungi in indoor and outdoor areas has been investigated in different regions 3,21,22 . In the Northeast, Fortaleza, Natal and Recife are climatically similar cities.…”

“…These microorganisms are infl uenced by factors such as season, temperature, the relative humidity of the air and other parameters that exhibit seasonal variation 3,4 .…”

Microscopic fungi in the Atlantic Rainforest in Cubatão, São Paulo, Brazil

“…The uncontrolled construction of fertilizer, dyes, steel and petroleum plants has caused increasing air, water and soil pollution affecting native fauna and flora, and causing severe human health problems. Compound such as fluorides, ammonium, hydrocarbons, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, and particulate matter are the main pollutants (30,61).…”