Fungal Spore Aerosolization at Different Positions of a Growing Colony Blown by Airflow

Abstract

The possible role of bioaerosols in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently been highlighted. A bioaerosol can be comprised of bacterial cells, fungal spores and viruses. Aerosolized fungal spores in indoor environments can cause adverse health effects. As a colony propagates from the center to the perimeter, the age of fungal spores and thus the adhesion force to the colony can be much different. The spore detachment may vary according to the growing position of the spores on a colony in relation to the airflow. This study investigated the aerosolization of fungal spores at different positions of a colony. A fungal colony was divided into a quantity of sub colonies according to the age distribution. Each sub colony was subjected to airflow in a wind tunnel to determine the released spores by two count methods. The results revealed that the initial spore density, the spore release rate, and the spore release proportion for the central sub colony were all significantly higher than that for the sub colony at the edge. The spore release rate for the central sub colony was approximately 2.6 times that at the edge. Spores growing at the center of the colony were aerosolized more easily than that growing at the outer edge. Growth age is a significant factor in the difference of spore aerosolization between sub colonies.

Control Efficacy of Salicylic Acid Microcapsules against Postharvest Blue Mold in Apple Fruit

“…After the medium was cooled and solidified, each plate was inoculated with 10 µL of P. expansum suspension (3 × 10 4 spores/mL) and incubated at 28 • C for 7 days. Colony diameters were then measured both horizontally and vertically via a cross-measurement method [41]. The average value was determined as the colony diameter (cm).…”

Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Culturable Airborne Fungi in Jiroft City

“…Fungal spores can be passively released from natural and anthropogenic sources [3]. Air is an important channel for the transporting and dispersal of biological particles such as fungi [4].…”

Environmental fungal spore aerosolization: a review

“…1 Fungal spores can be released passively from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources. 2 Green spaces, farms, forests, green spaces, and decaying plant matter are the primary sources of fungus spores in the air. 3 Fungal spores could be dangerous to immunosuppressed and allergic people.…”

“…6 Indoor environments that are warm and humid are favorable for the growth of fungi. 2 According to atmospheric sampling, most fungal spores have a size between 2 and 10 µm. Although they are small in number, due to their size, they may considerably contribute to particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations.…”

“…8 A favorable humid condition can help fungal spores to germinate and form mycelium and then hyphe. 2 Several diseases can be brought on by breathing in ultrafine aerosol particles such as hypersensitivity, pneumonia, Aspergillosis, Candidiasis, Mucormycosis, Cancer etc. 9,10 The liberation and deposition of fungal spores depend on several physical and chemical parameters.…”