Identificação da microbiota fúngica anemófila em uma indústria de polpas de frutas e susceptibilidade antifúngica a terpenos / Identification of the airborne fungal microbiota in a fruit pulp industry and antifungal susceptibility to terpenes

Os fungos anemófilos são importantes agentes contaminantes e deteriorantes de alimentos, especialmente frutas e seus produtos. Neste estudo foram identificados os principais gêneros fúngicos presentes na microbiota anemófila de uma indústria de polpas de frutas, localizada no interior da Paraíba, e foi investigada a ação antifúngica de terpenos como possível alternativa de controle do crescimento fúngico. Os fungos foram coletados pela exposição de placas de Petri contendo meio Agar Sabouraud dextrose com cloranfenicol (50 μg/mL). Após a incubação a 28 °C durante sete dias, foram realizadas a contagem das unidades formadoras de colônias e sua descrição. Os fungos foram identificados pela análise morfológica das colônias isoladas. O principal gênero isolado em toda indústria foi o dematiáceo Cladosporium spp. Os ensaios de sensibilidade foram efetuados aplicando-se a técnica de difusão em meio sólido com discos contendo os terpenos: carvacrol, citronelal, citral, linalol, timol, terpinoleno, p-cimeno e β-cariofileno. A efetividade de alguns destes terpenos frente a cepas do Cladosporium spp foi demonstrada, com destaque para o citral e carvacrol. A indústria de polpas de frutas apresenta ar de ambiente vulnerável, especialmente contaminação por Cladosporium spp. Pretende-se impulsionar novos estudos com produtos naturais na perspectiva de diminuir a contaminação fúngica em alimentos.

Airborne fungi are important food contaminants and spoiling agents, especially in fruits and their derivatives. This study aimed at identifying the main fungi in the airborne microbiota in a fruit pulp industry, located in Paraíba State, and to investigate the antifungal action of terpenes as an alternative for controlling fungal growth. The Petri plates containing Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol (50 μg/mL) were exposed for collecting the fungi. The plates were incubated at 28 °C for seven days; then the colony forming unitscounting, and description were performed. The identification of fungi was performed by the morphological analysis of isolated colonies. The main group of fungi isolated throughout the industry was Cladosporium spp. Antifungal tests were performed by diffusion technique in solid medium with discs containing terpenes: carvacrol, citronellal, citral, linalool, thymol, terpinolene, p-cymene and β-caryophyllene. The effectiveness of some of these terpenes against Cladosporium spp. strains was shown, especially citral and carvacrol. Based on these results, the fruit pulp industry shows vulnerable ambient air, notably with high contamination by Cladosporium spp. Thus, it is aimed at promoting further studies with natural drugs in order to reduce the fungal contamination in food.

Desinfectantes en aerosol como alternativa de control ambiental de los hongos anemófilos en viviendas / Disinfectant spray as an alternative environmental control of airborne fungi in houses

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de productos desinfectantes comerciales en aerosol sobre la carga de hongos ambientales en habitaciones de viviendas, teniendo en cuenta que las personas, principalmente los niños, pasan la mayor parte del día en las mismas. Además, se estudió, a través de encuestas, las preferencias del público a la hora de adquirir los desinfectantes comerciales ensayados. El número de UFC/placa fue variable dentro de la misma habitación para las distintas mediciones realizadas antes de la aplicación de los productos desinfectantes. Los porcentajes de inhibición del crecimiento fúngico fueron variables dependiendo del producto desinfectante ensayado y de la habitación muestreada. Dichos porcentajes no fueron diferentes significativamente entre los desinfectantes. Los valores de temperatura estuvieron dentro de un rango de 11 a 19,5 ºC y el porcentaje de humedad relativa varió entre un 64 a 85 por ciento. El 89 por ciento de los encuestados conocía la existencia de desinfectantes ambientales en aerosol. El 78 por ciento conocía el Lysoform®, seguido por Glade® antitabaco y Ayudin®. Dentro de los productos más utilizados, el 54 por ciento de los encuestados indicó el producto Lysoform®. La mayoría de los consumidores eligieron a los desinfectantes por lo que conocen y los medios de comunicación influyeron en el 29 por ciento de los consumidores al momento de elegir el desinfectante. Estos productos ensayados son recomendables en una habitación para disminuir la carga de hongos ambientales y así reducir el efecto perjudicial de estos hongos sobre las personas que la utilizan.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of commercial disinfectant spray on the concentration of airborne fungi in bedrooms, considering that people, especially children, spend most of the day in them. Also, public preferences through surveys were studied when acquiring commercial disinfectants tested. The number of CFU/Petri dish was variable within the same bedroom for the different measurements performed before application of the disinfectant. Percent inhibition of fungal growth were variable, depending on the disinfecting product tested and sampled bedroom. These percentages were not significantly different between the disinfectants. The temperature values were within a range of 11 to 19.5° C and relative humidity percentage ranged from 64 to 85 percent. Eighty nine percent of respondents knew about environmental disinfectant spray. Seventy-eight percent knew about Lysoform®, followed by antismoking Glade® and Ayudin®. Among the most widely used products, 54 percent of respondents said the Lysoform® product was the most used. Most consumers chose known disinfectants and, when choosing a disinfectant, the media influenced 29 percent of consumers. The used products are recommended to be used in a bedroom to decrease the number of airborne fungi and thus reduce the harmful effect of these fungi on the people that use this room.

Aeromicología y salud humana / Aeromycology and human health

Introducción: la aeromicología estudia la variación temporal y espacial del contenido fúngico de la atmósfera, así como la influencia de los factores meteorológicos sobre dichas variaciones. En países tropicales como Cuba, la elevada temperatura y la humedad relativa favorecen el crecimiento de los hongos, así como la formación y liberación de sus esporas, las cuales pueden afectar la salud humana. Objetivo: destacar el impacto de los estudios aeromicológicos para la salud humana. Métodos: se realizó una revisión de la literatura científica sobre aspectos generales de la aeromicología, las principales especies fúngicas presentes en ambientes exteriores e interiores, su impacto en la salud humana y las medidas para disminuir el riesgo de afectación a la salud por dichos hongos. Resultados: se expone información actualizada y valiosa sobre la aeromicología, útil para la prevención de enfermedades ocasionadas por hongos presentes en el aire. Además se destacan los estudios realizados en Cuba hasta la actualidad. Conclusiones: la determinación ambiental de propágulos fúngicos así como sus variaciones estacionales es un parámetro relevante a evaluar dentro de la salud preventiva(AU)

Introduction: aeromycology studies the time and space variation of the air fungal content, as well as the influence of weather factors on these variations. In tropical countries like Cuba, high temperatures and relative humidity favor fungal growth and the formation and release of its spores, which can have an impact on human health. Objective: to highlight the impact of Aeromycology in the human health. Methods: Scientific literature addressing the general aspects of aeromycology, the main indoor and outdoor fungal species, their impact on human health and the actions aimed at decreasing the risk for human health was reviewed. Results: updated and valuable information on aeromycology was presented which can be used to prevent diseases caused by airborne fungi. Additionally, this review highlighted the studies conducted in Cuba up to the present. Conclusions: the environmental determination of fungal propagules and their seasonal variations is a relevant parameter to be evaluated in preventive health care systems(AU)

Detection of airborne psychrotrophic bacteria and fungi in food storage refrigerators

The purpose of this study was to determine the microbiological air quality (psychrotrophic bacteria and airborne fungi) and distribution of fungi in different types of ready-to-eat (RTE) food-storage refrigerators (n=48) at selected retail stores in the city of Edirne, Turkey. Refrigerators were categorized according to the type of RTE food-storage: meat products, vegetables, desserts, or a mix of food types. Microbiological quality of air samples was evaluated by using a Mas-100 Eco Air Sampler. Four refrigerators (all containing meat products, 8.3%) produced air samples with undetectable microorganisms. The highest detected mean value of airborne psychrotrophic bacteria and fungi was 82.3 CFU/m³ and 54.6 CFU/m³, respectively and were found in mixed-food refrigerators. The dominant airborne fungal genera found were Penicillium (29.0%), Aspergillus (12.0%), Mucor (9%), Cladosporium (8%), Botyrtis (7%), and Acremonium (6%). By definition, RTE food does not undergo a final treatment to ensure its safety prior to consumption. Therefore, ensuring a clean storage environment for these foods is important to prevent food-borne disease and other health risks.

Diversity and prevalence of airborne fungi isolated from São Luis, Northeast Brazil

Airborne fungi are considerate the main agents related to allergy in patients that suffer from asthma and rinitis. The knowledge about the prevalence of these microorganisms and theis seasonal variation can be useful for human health by improving the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergic disease provoked by their inhalation. The present study has isolated and identified airborne funfi from São Luis city investigating their prevalence, biodiversity and seasonal variation. Samples were taken by the Petri plate gravitacional method in six urban areas. A total of 2993 fungal colonies were counted, 67,9% in the dry season and 32,1% in the rainy season. Statistical analysis showed that there are significant diference (p=0,0121) between the averages of spores in dry and rainy periods. Relative humidity, rainfall precipitation and wind speed can have influenced the diversity and concentration of fungal spores presents in the air. Among 24 genera isolated, the most prevalent ones were Aspergillus (38,7)%, Fusarium (13,90%), Curvularia (11,18%) and Penicillium (10,88%), major triggers of allergic process worldwide recognized. The data show the presence of a large number of airborne fungi spores in São Luis and all genera found are opportunistic and they may cause disease in susceptible patients.

Micota ambiental en la unidad de terapia intensiva de un hospital pediátrico / Ambiental mycota at an intensive care unit of a pediatric hospital

En las últimas décadas se ha demostrado claramente el rol del aire en la transmisión de microorganismos oportunistas en ambientes endógenos, especialmente en centros hospitalarios, personal dependiente y en pacientes susceptibles hospitalizados. El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad detectar la cantidad y diversidad de la micobiota anemófila y de superficies presente en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) del Hospital Pediátrico ®Juan Pablo II¼ de la ciudad de Corrientes (Argentina), mediante un Colector SAS súper 100 y por el método del hisopo, en 2 períodos estacionales (otoño y primavera), cada 15 días, a mediodía y después de la limpieza habitual de la unidad. El número de UFC hallado, excedió considerablemente los parámetros establecidos y los géneros de hongos filamentosos más frecuentes en el aire y en las superficies fueron los integrantes de los géneros: Cladosporium, Penicillium y Aspergillus, seguidos por Acremonium, Fusarium, Curvularia y Chrysonilia. Algunos de sus integrantes son considerados como patógenos oportunistas y productores de toxinas como: Aspergillus fumigatus, A.flavus, A.niger, Acremonium strictum complex, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichoderma harzianum y Stachybotrys atra, (este último se presentó una sola vez). La presencia de estos taxa se considera inaceptable en ambientes cerrados. Debido a la información obtenida en el presente trabajo se intensificaron las medidas para disminuir la carga fúngica ambiental de esta zona hospitalaria donde están bajo tratamiento intensivo pacientes en alto riesgo.

Lately decades have clearly evidenced the role that air plays in the transmission of opportunistic microorganisms under endogenous environments, mainly in hospitals, health centers, working personnel as well as in liable patients that are hospitalized. The present paper has been designed to detect the amount and diversity of anemophyle and surface mycota occurring at the Intensive Care Unit (UTI) in the Hospital Pediátrico ®Juan Pablo II¼ of the city of Corrientes (Argentina) by means of a super 100 SAS Colector and using the sprinkling water method in 2 seasonal periods (fall and spring), every 15 day, at midday and after the regular cleaning process of the unit. The number of UFC found exceeded greatly the established parameters whilst filamentous fungi occurring most frequently in the air and surfaces were those belonging to the genera: Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus, followed by Acremonium, Fusarium, Curvularia and Chrysonilia. Some of their members are considered opportunistic pathogenus and toxin producers such as Aspergillus umigatus, A.flavus, A.niger, Acremonium strictum complex, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichoderma harzianum and Stachybotrys atra, (the latter appeared only once). The presence of these taxa is found to be unacceptable indoors. Considering the information described in this paper, control measures were intensified to reduce environmental fungal load in this hospital area where patients under high risk are treated.

Relationship between Airborne Fungi and Childhood Bronchial Asthma in Huangshi Region / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To analyze the relationship between categories,sum and seasonal distribution of airborne fungi and childhood bronchial asthma in Huangshi region.Methods Airborne fungi was investigated through gravitational precipitating method by placing the sample cutter at the 5th floor platform of the surgery department of the First People′s Hospital of Huangshi.Slides were exposed to the air in 24 hours with each day a new slide to be placed.This explosion of slides stayed a whole year from Feb.2007 to Feb.2008.Thus the collected data of fungi were filed,verified and then classified so as to find out the dominant allergic fungi.Multivalent allergen skin tests of fungi were performed on 247 children with bronchial asthma in Huangshi region at the same period and the pattern was explored during invasion season.Results Altogether 365 slides were exposed and 12 667 fungi were collected,which falled to the 22 genres of the 4 sub-categories.And these fungi could be arranged by sum to be alternaria,smut,cladosporium cladosporioides,uredinales,leptosphaeriamaculans and many others including those even without a name.The peak period of fungi distribution in Huangshi city was from Apr to Oct,and it was affected by temperature,wind and rainfall and sunshine.Forty-two point nine one percent were positive reaction to multivalent fungi allergens,of which the hig-hest positive rate to multivalent fungi allergensⅠwas 23.48%.The result showed asthma usually happened during Apr to Aug.Conclusions There were airborne fungi in Huangshi region yearly,and the sensitive season was spring and summer.Dominant fungi were alternaria,ustilaginales and ciadosporium.Forty percent asthma had a close connection to fungi allergens.The attack of children bronchial asthma was corresponded with fungi peak duration.

The profile of airborne fungi at a poultry market

Background: Ha Vi poultry market is a concentrated and spontaneous poultry business place. Ensuring environmental hygiene is not respected.\r\n', u'Objectives: To evaluate infectious situation of airborne fungi at a poultry market\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: From 10/2006 to 9/2007 a survey on the profile of airborne fungi was carried out at the Havi poultry - market. Total fungal spores averaged at 2.753 \xb1 576 cfu/m3, the highest sample is 7.120 cfu/m3\u2022 More than 10 different fungi were isolated. \r\n', u'Results: The common fungi are Cladosporium (30.13%), Penicillium (26.86%), Aspergillus (20.97%, composed of A.niger, A fumigatus, A.jlavus, A.clavatus ...), Fusarium (8.15%), some rare fungi (Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Mucor, Alternaria, Curvularia, Absidia, Bipolaris ... ) 13.89%. The concentration of airborne fungi at the market was higher than at distance of 300 and 1000 m. The concentrations of total fungi and of each species are affected by some meteorological factors: they were higher in the end of spring, early of summer and autumn, lowest in the winter. The concentrations of Cladosporium, Penicillium were found to be positive correlate with humidity, Aspergillus, Fusarium with temperature. \r\n', u'Conclusion: It is necessary to propose the methods that can reduce influence of airborne fungi pollution to health of people \r\n', u'

Precipitation of Airborne Fungi Particles in the Atmosphere of the Downtown Area of Beijing / 环境与健康杂志

We investigated the percipitation of airborne fungi particles with gravity plates at xidan area of Beijing. Our results show that, 1, The yearly average of the precipitation of airborne fungi particles is 11.0/dish. 5 min; 2,The highest precipitation occurs at 7:00 and 19:00 and the lowest precipitation at 4:00 and 13:00 in one day time; 3, The precipitation is high in the summer and low at the fall; 4, The significant difference of the precipitation between day and night is not observed in this study.