Aerosolized Microbes from Organic Rich Materials: Case Study of Bat Guano from Caves in Romania

Cave air, bat guano, and swabs of bat fur from caves with bat guano in Romania were analyzed by using RIDAHCOUNT cultivation plates and standard selective media for Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. The samples of guano varied in concentration of cultivable chemoheterotrophic bacteria (max. 1.9x10 s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of caves and karst studies 2014-08, Vol.76 (2), p.114-114
Main Authors: Borda, Daniela R, Nastase-Bucur, Ruxandra M, Spinu, Marina, Uricariu, Raluca, Mulec, Janez
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosols
Bacteria
Caves
Chryseomonas luteola
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Micrococcus
Microorganisms
Molds
Salmonella
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus
Yeast
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Summary:Cave air, bat guano, and swabs of bat fur from caves with bat guano in Romania were analyzed by using RIDAHCOUNT cultivation plates and standard selective media for Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. The samples of guano varied in concentration of cultivable chemoheterotrophic bacteria (max. 1.9x10 super( 10) CFU/g), coliforms (max. 2.2x10 super( ) CFU/g), Escherichia coli (max. 1.0x10 super( 8) CFU/g), and yeasts and molds (max. 1.7x10 super( 7) CFU/g). The gravity-settling principle was applied to sample airborne microorganisms, and a new method was developed for evaluation of aerosolization potential. In cave air, the concentration of total bacteria was higher than yeast and molds. In addition to coliforms, enterobacteria, E. coli, and unidentified cultivable bacteria in the air samples, the authors also identified Chryseomonas luteola, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Micrococcus, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. In the experiment that provoked microbial aerosolization from guano, 3.35% of total cultivable fungi were aerosolized, up to 0.10% of bacteria, and 0.00% of E. coli. The concentration of Staphylococcus in the air exceeded counts of Streptococcus.
ISSN:1090-6924
2331-3714
DOI:10.4311/2013MB0116