Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2018-69-3194
Seasonal diversity of biodeteriogenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic constituents of airborne mycobiota in a sacral environment
Nikola Unković
orcid.org/0000-0001-8872-2099
; Department for Algology, Mycology and Lichenology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
Ivica Dimkić
; Department for Microbiology2, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
Slaviša Stanković
; Department for Microbiology2, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
Aleksa Jelikić
; University of Belgrade, Conservation and Restoration Department with Physico-chemical Laboratory, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Dragan Stanojević
; University of Belgrade, Conservation and Restoration Department with Physico-chemical Laboratory, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Slađana Popović
; Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology and Technoeconomics, Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia
Miloš Stupar
; Department for Algology, Mycology and Lichenology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
Jelena Vukojević
; Department for Algology, Mycology and Lichenology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
Milica Ljaljević Grbić
; Department for Algology, Mycology and Lichenology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Belgrade, Serbia
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to isolate airborne fungi and assess seasonal variations in air contamination with their particulates by determining the levels of their propagules in the nave and exonarthex of a church. We also monitored indoor microclimate as a determining factor for fungal proliferation on wall paintings, spore release, and transmission through the air. The temperature and relative humidity of the nave favoured fungal growth. A total of 33 fungi were isolated, mainly of the phylum Ascomycota, and to the lesser extent of the phyla Zygomycota and Basidiomycota. The most common were the fungi of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus (23.55 % and 20.58 %, respectively). Sørensen’s quotient of similarity (0.37) suggests moderate species overlap and constant exchange of fungal propagules between the nave and exonarthex. The autumn had the highest diversity, with 17 documented taxa, followed by the summer and the winter. The spring had only eight taxa. Quantitative analysis of the airborne mycobiota in the nave (430±84.85 to 1880±106.07 CFU m-3) and exonarthex (715±59.62 to 2295±91.92 CFU m-3) showed very high contamination throughout the year, with values exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations by most standards. Many of the fungi determined in this study are known for their biodeteriogenic, toxigenic, and allergenic properties, and are a threat not only to occasional visitors and staff, but also to valuable works of art decorating nave walls.
Keywords
airborne fungi; Aspergillus; biodeteriogens; contamination; indoor microclimate; mycotoxins; pathogens; Penicillium
Hrčak ID:
213643
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2018.
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