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

MALLO A.C; NITIU D.S; SAPARRAT M.C.N; ELÍADES L. A

REVISTA IBEROAMERICANA DE MICOLOGIA

ASOCIACION ESPANOLA MICOLOGIA-AEM

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2017 vol. 34 p. 99 - 105

1130-1406

arestored, can attack and deteriorate them.Aims: The aim of this study was to gather information on the indoor air quality of the Herbarium ofVascular Plants of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata, Argentina, in relation to fungal propagulesand inert particles.Methods: This study was made using a volumetric system and two complementary sampling meth-ods: (1) a non-viable method for direct evaluation, and (2) a viable method by culture for viable fungalpropagules.Results: The non-viable method led to ten spore morphotypes being found from related fungal sources.A total of 4401.88 spores/m3and 32135.18 inert suspended particles/m3were recorded. The viablemethod led to the finding of nine fungal taxa as viable spores that mostly belonged to anamorphic formsof Ascomycota, although the pigmented yeast Rhodotorula F.C. Harrison (Basidiomycota) was also found.A total count of 40,500 fungal CFU/m3air was estimated for all the sites sampled.Conclusions: Both the non-viable and viable sampling methods were necessary to monitor the bio-aerosolload in the La Plata Herbarium. The indoor air of this institution seems to be reasonably adequate for theconservation of vascular plants due to the low indoor/outdoor index, low concentrations of air spores,and/or lack of indicators of moisture problems