Fungal monitoring of the indoor air of the Museo de La Plata Herbarium, Argentina

• Published in: Revista iberoamericana de micología 2017-04, Vol.34 (2), p.99-105
• Main Authors: Mallo, Andrea C, Elíades, Lorena A, Nitiu, Daniela S, Saparrat, Mario C.N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aire interior; Biological collections; Colecciones biológicas; Esporas fúngicas; Fungal spores; Herbario La Plata; Indoor airborne fungi; Infectious Disease; La Plata Herbarium; Muestreos viable y no viable; Viable and non-viable methods
• ISSN: 1130-1406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2016.05.003

Abstract Background Biological agents, such as fungal spores in the air in places where scientific collections are stored, can attack and deteriorate them. Aims The aim of this study was to gather information on the indoor air quality of the Herbarium of Vascular Plants of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata , Argentina, in relation to fungal propagules and inert particles. Methods This study was made using a volumetric system and two complementary sampling methods: (1) a non-viable method for direct evaluation, and (2) a viable method by culture for viable fungal propagules. Results The non-viable method led to ten spore morphotypes being found from related fungal sources. A total of 4401.88 spores/m3 and 32135.18 inert suspended particles/m3 were recorded. The viable method led to the finding of nine fungal taxa as viable spores that mostly belonged to anamorphic forms of Ascomycota, although the pigmented yeast Rhodotorula F.C. Harrison (Basidiomycota) was also found. A total count of 40,500 fungal CFU/m3 air was estimated for all the sites sampled. Conclusions Both the non-viable and viable sampling methods were necessary to monitor the bio-aerosol load in the La Plata Herbarium. The indoor air of this institution seems to be reasonably adequate for the conservation of vascular plants due to the low indoor/outdoor index, low concentrations of air spores, and/or lack of indicators of moisture problems.