Solar Radiation Is Shown to Select for Pigmented Bacteria in the Ambient Outdoor Atmosphere

Tong, Yaojun; Lighthart, Bruce

doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.1997.tb01884.x

Cited by 69 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…One of the main protective effects of pigmentation is protection against oxidative damage due to solar/UV radiation, and since bacterial spores are highly resistant to UV/solar radiation (63), the finding of a substantially lower percentage of pigmented spore-forming bacteria is not surprising but still noteworthy. A high percentage of pigmented bacteria has been found in ambient outdoor atmosphere, and positive selection toward pigmented bacteria has been demonstrated (73). Carotenoids, with more than 700 different representatives isolated from natural sources, represent an abundant group of natural pigments in both the prokaryote and eukaryote kingdoms, exhibiting colors from dark red to bright yellow (15).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Airborne Bacteria at an Underground Subway Station

Dybwad

Granum

Bruheim

et al. 2012

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The reliable detection of airborne biological threat agents depends on several factors, including the performance criteria of the detector and its operational environment. One step in improving the detector's performance is to increase our knowledge of the biological aerosol background in potential operational environments. Subway stations are enclosed public environments, which may be regarded as potential targets for incidents involving biological threat agents. In this study, the airborne bacterial community at a subway station in Norway was characterized (concentration level, diversity, and virulence-and survival-associated properties). In addition, a SASS 3100 high-volume air sampler and a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry-based isolate screening procedure was used for these studies. The daytime level of airborne bacteria at the station was higher than the nighttime and outdoor levels, and the relative bacterial spore number was higher in outdoor air than at the station. The bacterial content, particle concentration, and size distribution were stable within each environment throughout the study (May to September 2010). The majority of the airborne bacteria belonged to the genera Bacillus, Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus, but a total of 37 different genera were identified in the air. These results suggest that anthropogenic sources are major contributors to airborne bacteria at subway stations and that such airborne communities could harbor virulence-and survival-associated properties of potential relevance for biological detection and surveillance, as well as for public health. Our findings also contribute to the development of realistic testing and evaluation schemes for biological detection/surveillance systems by providing information that can be used to mimic real-life operational airborne environments in controlled aerosol test chambers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Airborne Bacteria at an Underground Subway Station

Dybwad

Granum

Bruheim

et al. 2012

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…In this study, we demonstrate that 81% of the DCA dominants were pigmented. UV radiation is known to have a markedly lethal effect on bacteria (50), and pigmentation is likewise known to protect bacterial cells from UV damage (51). Pigmentation could therefore be a selective trait that favors the survival of certain bacterial species in the atmosphere.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Annual Variations in the Diversity, Viability, and Origin of Airborne Bacteria

Fahlgren

Hagström

Nilsson

et al. 2010

Appl Environ Microbiol

175

142

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The presence of bacteria in aerosols has been known for centuries, but information on their identity and role in dispersing microbial traits is still limited. This study monitored the airborne bacterial community during an annual survey using samples collected from a 25-m tower near the Baltic Sea coast. The number of CFU was estimated using agar plates while the most probable number (MPN) of viable bacteria was estimated using dilution-to-extinction culturing assays (DCAs). The MPN and CFU values produced quantitatively similar results, displaying a pronounced seasonal pattern, with the highest numbers in winter. The most dominant bacteria growing in the DCAs all formed colonies on agar plates, were mostly pigmented (80%), and closely resembled (>97%) previously cultured bacteria based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences. 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed on eight occasions during the survey; these revealed a highly diverse community with a few abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and a long tail of rare OTUs. A majority of the cloned sequences (60%) were also most closely related to previously "cultured" bacteria. Thus, both culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques indicated that bacteria able to form colonies on agar plates predominate in the atmosphere. Both the DCAs and clone libraries indicated the dominance of bacteria belonging to the genera Sphingomonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. on several sampling occasions. Potentially pathogenic strains as well as sequences closely resembling bacteria known to act as ice nuclei were found using both approaches. The origin of the sampled air mass was estimated using backward trajectories, indicating a predominant marine source.

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“…These metabolic capabilities facilitate the distribution and survival. Micrococcus and Kocuria are able to produce colored (pink, yellow, orange, and red) pigments, which is typical for a large portion of airborne microorganisms [96]. It is assumed that these pigments act as "sun screen" for the organisms to protect them from UV radiation.…”

Section: Composition Of Bioaerosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioaerosols in Indoor Environment - A Review with Special Reference to Residential and Occupational Locations

Brandl¹

2011

TOEBMJ

171

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Bioaerosols such as bacterial and fungal cells and their spores are -along with non-biological particles -part of indoor airborne particulate matter and have been related since a long time to health issues of human beings as well as flora, and fauna. To identify the different risks and to establish exposure thresholds, microbiology of air samples from a series of indoor environments must be characterized, i.e. the different microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) must be identified and quantified. This review discusses the techniques of air sampling and sample analysis. In addition, a literature study has been performed regarding the levels of these microorganisms in various indoor occupational (e.g., schools, offices, hospitals, museums) and dwelling environments. These results will provide a significant scientific basis for indoor air quality control and help in elaborating risk prevention programs for workers and dwellers. This review shall contribute to the knowledge of identification and quantification of airborne microbial constituents in various indoor environments. Combining the indoor microbial load data with data from studies focusing on health effects caused by inhalation of specific airborne microorganisms will allow the evaluation of various risks to which inhabitants are exposed. Bioaerosols in Indoor Environment -A Review with Special Reference to Residential and Occupational LocationsJyotshna Mandal and Helmut Brandl* Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, SwitzerlandAbstract: Bioaerosols such as bacterial and fungal cells and their spores are -along with non-biological particles -part of indoor airborne particulate matter and have been related since a long time to health issues of human beings as well as flora, and fauna. To identify the different risks and to establish exposure thresholds, microbiology of air samples from a series of indoor environments must be characterized, i.e. the different microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) must be identified and quantified. This review discusses the techniques of air sampling and sample analysis. In addition, a literature study has been performed regarding the levels of these microorganisms in various indoor occupational (e.g., schools, offices, hospitals, museums) and dwelling environments. These results will provide a significant scientific basis for indoor air quality control and help in elaborating risk prevention programs for workers and dwellers. This review shall contribute to the knowledge of identification and quantification of airborne microbial constituents in various indoor environments. Combining the indoor microbial load data with data from studies focusing on health effects caused by inhalation of specific airborne microorganisms will allow the evaluation of various risks to which inhabitants are exposed.

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Solar Radiation Is Shown to Select for Pigmented Bacteria in the Ambient Outdoor Atmosphere

Cited by 69 publications

References 14 publications

Characterization of Airborne Bacteria at an Underground Subway Station

Characterization of Airborne Bacteria at an Underground Subway Station

Annual Variations in the Diversity, Viability, and Origin of Airborne Bacteria

Bioaerosols in Indoor Environment - A Review with Special Reference to Residential and Occupational Locations

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