Fungal monitoring of the indoor air of the Museo de La Plata Herbarium, Argentina
<i>Background</i>: Biological agents, such as fungal spores in the air in places where scientific collections are stored, can attack and deteriorate them. <i>Aims</i>: The aim of this study was to gather information on the indoor air quality of the Herbarium of Vascular Plan...
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | Articulo |
| Lenguaje: | Español |
| Publicado: |
2017
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| Acceso en línea: | http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/102960 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1130140616300559?via%3Dihub |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | <i>Background</i>: Biological agents, such as fungal spores in the air in places where scientific collections are stored, can attack and deteriorate them.
<i>Aims</i>: The aim of this study was to gather information on the indoor air quality of the Herbarium of Vascular Plants of the <i>Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata</i>, Argentina, in relation to fungal propagules and inert particles.
<i>Methods</i>: 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.
<i>Results</i>: The non-viable method led to ten spore morphotypes being found from related fungal sources. A total of 4401.88 spores/m<sup>3</sup> and 32135.18 inert suspended particles/m<sup>3</sup> 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 <i>Rhodotorula F.C</i>. Harrison (Basidiomycota) was also found. A total count of 40,500 fungal CFU/m<sup>3</sup> air was estimated for all the sites sampled.
<i>Conclusions</i>: 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. |
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