The development of a method to evaluate bioreceptivity of indoor mortar plastering to fungal growth

The aim of this work was to develop and standardise an accelerated laboratory test for detecting bioreceptivity of indoor mortar to fungal growth. To determine which fungal species were predominant under field conditions, isolation was carried out using mortar samples collected from 41 buildings in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International biodeterioration & biodegradation 2003-01, Vol.51 (2), p.83-92
Main Authors: Shirakawa, M.A., Beech, I.B., Tapper, R., Cincotto, M.A., Gambale, W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accelerated test
Biodeterioration
Biological and medical sciences
Bioreceptivity
Cladosporium
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Indoor mortar
Microbiology
Miscellaneous
Mycology
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Summary:The aim of this work was to develop and standardise an accelerated laboratory test for detecting bioreceptivity of indoor mortar to fungal growth. To determine which fungal species were predominant under field conditions, isolation was carried out using mortar samples collected from 41 buildings in two cities of São Paulo State in the South East of Brazil. Cladosporium was found to be the genus most frequently recovered from field specimens. Based on the results of laboratory trials strain C. sphaerospermum was chosen as a test microorganism. Four different mortars, two laboratory-manufactured mortars composed of ordinary Portland cement, high calcium hydrated lime and standardised sand, and two different ready-mixed building mortars from the Brazilian market, were investigated for their susceptibility to colonisation by C. sphaerospermum. Several parameters were tested to determine factors influencing fungal bioreceptivity. The type of mortar, degree of carbonation and pH values of mortars, as well as relative humidity of environment effected colonisation of C. sphaerospermum. All except one mortar samples showed significant fungal growth, however, the growth occurred only at 100% relative humidity. Interaction of C. sphaerospermum with mortar specimens was studied using techniques of scanning and environmental scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis.
ISSN:0964-8305
1879-0208
DOI:10.1016/S0964-8305(01)00129-9