Aerobiological monitoring of Aspergillus/Penicillium spores during the potato storage

Abstract

Aerobiological studies are widely used to determine the fungal spectrum in the air. These studies have revealed that Aspergillus/Penicillium spores are the most abundant spores in both outdoor and indoor environments. In this study, we have presented the variations in the concentration of these spores in an indoor environment (a potato store). Aerobiological sampling was conducted during five storage period (from 2002 to 2008 year) using a Hirst-type spore trap. The maximum spore concentrations were counted during the second fortnight of January and in the months of February and March, with values higher than 6,000 spores/m 3 per day. A correlation analysis between the Aspergillus/Penicillium spores and the main environmental parameters was performed; significant coefficients were obtained for spores present in the store previous days and mean temperature of the same day and previous days (P \ 0.001). Moreover, a regression model was established and predicted 53% variability of the data included in the analysis. The best obtained model took into account the Aspergillus/ Penicillium spore type levels of 1 previous day and the mean temperature in the preceding 2 days.

Ice nucleation by fungal spores from the classes <i>Agaricomycetes</i>, <i>Ustilaginomycetes</i>, and <i>Eurotiomycetes</i>, and the effect on the atmospheric transport of these spores

“…Average fungal spore concentrations of 1 to 10 L −1 have been reported in the continental boundary layer (Elbert et al, 2007), and peak concentrations of 20 to 35 L −1 have been observed D. I. Haga et al: Ice nucleation and its effect on atmospheric transport of fungal spores previously (Oliveira et al, 2005;Ho et al, 2005;Goncalves et al, 2010;Quintero et al, 2010;Khattab and Levetin, 2008;Nayar and Jothish, 2013). These spores can be transported large distances and transported to high altitudes in the troposphere (Hirst et al, 1967;Gregory, 1978;Bowers et al, 2009;Amato et al, 2007;Ebner et al, 1989;Fulton, 1966;Kelly and Pady, 1953;Pady and Kelly, 1953;Pady and Kapica, 1955;Proctor and Parker, 1938), and even into the stratosphere (Smith et al, 2010;Imshenetsky et al, 1978;Griffin, 2004).…”

“…During periods of high spore productivity, concentrations of Penicillium spores as high as 10 L −1 have been observed (Pyrri and Kapsanaki-Gotsi, 2012). Penicillium spores have also been identified at high altitudes in the troposphere and stratosphere (Smith et al, 2010;Amato et al, 2007;Griffin, 2004;Jayaweera and Flanagan, 1982;Imshenetsky et al, 1978;Fulton, 1966;Pady and Kapica, 1955;Pady and Kelly, 1954;Kelly and Pady, 1953;Proctor and Parker, 1938), as have Aspergillus spores (Imshenetsky et al, 1978;Fulton, 1966;Pady and Kapica, 1955;Proctor and Parker, 1938;Amato et al, 2007). Fungal spores from the phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota make up approximately 98 % of known fungal species found on Earth (James et al, 2006).…”

Aspergillus Conidia and Allergens in Outdoor Environment: A Health Hazard?

“…In the case of Aspergillus and Penicillium , the conidia of both fungi genera present similar morphology and are indistinguishable under a light microscope. Therefore, in aerobiological studies, both fungi are grouped together as Aspergillus/Penicillium spore type [ 12 ]. Moreover, this methodology cannot identify smaller fungal fragments and hyphae [ 13 ].…”