Associations between Fungal Species and Water-Damaged Building Materials

ABSTRACTFungal growth in damp or water-damaged buildings worldwide is an increasing problem, which has adverse effects on both the occupants and the buildings. Air sampling alone in moldy buildings does not reveal the full diversity of fungal species growing on building materials. One aim of this study was to estimate the qualitative and quantitative diversity of fungi growing on damp or water-damaged building materials. Another was to determine if associations exist between the most commonly found fungal species and different types of materials. More than 5,300 surface samples were taken by means of V8 contact plates from materials with visible fungal growth. Fungal identifications and information on building material components were analyzed using multivariate statistic methods to determine associations between fungi and material components. The results confirmed thatPenicillium chrysogenumandAspergillus versicolorare the most common fungal species in water-damaged buildings. The results also showedChaetomiumspp.,Acremoniumspp., andUlocladiumspp. to be very common on damp building materials. Analyses show that associated mycobiotas exist on different building materials. Associations were found between (i)Acremoniumspp.,Penicillium chrysogenum,Stachybotrysspp.,Ulocladiumspp., and gypsum and wallpaper, (ii)Arthrinium phaeospermum,Aureobasidium pullulans,Cladosporium herbarum,Trichodermaspp., yeasts, and different types of wood and plywood, and (iii)Aspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus melleus,Aspergillus niger,Aspergillus ochraceus,Chaetomiumspp.,Mucor racemosus,Mucor spinosus, and concrete and other floor-related materials. These results can be used to develop new and resistant building materials and relevant allergen extracts and to help focus research on relevant mycotoxins, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), and microparticles released into the indoor environment.

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Generation and Characterization of Indoor Fungal Aerosols for Inhalation Studies

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.04063-15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 82 (8) ◽

pp. 2479-2493 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Anne Mette Madsen ◽

Søren T. Larsen ◽

Ismo K. Koponen ◽

Kirsten I. Kling ◽

Afnan Barooni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Indoor Environment ◽

Building Materials ◽

Inhalation Exposure ◽

Single Species ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Exposure Level ◽

Exposure System ◽

Content Type ◽

Water Damage

ABSTRACTIn the indoor environment, people are exposed to several fungal species. Evident dampness is associated with increased respiratory symptoms. To examine the immune responses associated with fungal exposure, mice are often exposed to a single species grown on an agar medium. The aim of this study was to develop an inhalation exposure system to be able to examine responses in mice exposed to mixed fungal species aerosolized from fungus-infested building materials. Indoor airborne fungi were sampled and cultivated on gypsum boards. Aerosols were characterized and compared with aerosols in homes. Aerosols containing 107CFU of fungi/m3air were generated repeatedly from fungus-infested gypsum boards in a mouse exposure chamber. Aerosols containedAspergillus nidulans,Aspergillus niger,Aspergillus ustus,Aspergillus versicolor,Chaetomium globosum,Cladosporiumherbarum,Penicillium brevicompactum,Penicillium camemberti,Penicillium chrysogenum,Penicillium commune,Penicillium glabrum,Penicillium olsonii,Penicillium rugulosum,Stachybotrys chartarum, andWallemia sebi. They were all among the most abundant airborne species identified in 28 homes. Nine species from gypsum boards and 11 species in the homes are associated with water damage. Most fungi were present as single spores, but chains and clusters of different species and fragments were also present. The variation in exposure level during the 60 min of aerosol generation was similar to the variation measured in homes. Through aerosolization of fungi from the indoor environment, cultured on gypsum boards, it was possible to generate realistic aerosols in terms of species composition, concentration, and particle sizes. The inhalation-exposure system can be used to study responses to indoor fungi associated with water damage and the importance of fungal species composition.

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Volatile Compounds Originating from Mixed Microbial Cultures on Building Materials under Various Humidity Conditions

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.64.8.2914-2919.1998 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 64 (8) ◽

pp. 2914-2919 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

Anne Korpi ◽

Anna-Liisa Pasanen ◽

Pertti Pasanen

Keyword(s):

Volatile Compounds ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

High Performance ◽

Building Materials ◽

Fungal Growth ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Microbial Cultures ◽

Mixed Microbial Cultures ◽

Drying Conditions ◽

Dilution Plate Method

ABSTRACT We examined growth of mixed microbial cultures (13 fungal species and one actinomycete species) and production of volatile compounds (VOCs) in typical building materials in outside walls, separating walls, and bathroom floors at various relative humidities (RHs) of air. Air samples from incubation chambers were adsorbed on Tenax TA and dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridges and were analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Metabolic activity was measured by determining CO2 production, and microbial concentrations were determined by a dilution plate method. At 80 to 82% RH, CO2 production did not indicate that microbial activity occurred, and only 10% of the spores germinated, while slight increases in the concentrations of some VOCs were detected. All of the parameters showed that microbial activity occurred at 90 to 99% RH. The microbiological analyses revealed weak microbial growth even under drying conditions (32 to 33% RH). The main VOCs produced on the building materials studied were 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, and 1-octen-3-ol. In some cases fungal growth decreased aldehyde emissions. We found that various VOCs accompany microbial activity but that no single VOC is a reliable indicator of biocontamination in building materials.

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Ethanol-driven building fungus colonisation: “Whisky Black” in urban built environments

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation ◽

10.1108/ijbpa-05-2021-0079 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Nigel Craig ◽

Nick Pilcher ◽

Alan M. Forster ◽

Craig Kennedy

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Fungal Growth ◽

Built Environments ◽

Content Type ◽

Significant Release ◽

Carbon Nutrition ◽

Surrounding Areas ◽

A Site ◽

Production Areas ◽

Corporate Social

PurposeThe spirits industry is a major economic contributor worldwide, often requiring years of maturation in barrels that is associated with significant release of ethanol into the surrounding environment. This provides carbon nutrition for colonisation of black fungal growths, one type being Baudoinia compniacensis, or Whisky Black. Although growth is localised in production areas, numerous sites exist globally, and this paper's purpose is to investigate the extent and implications of colonisation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents and discusses the results of a visual survey of the area surrounding a site where whisky is maturing in nearby bonded warehouses. The evaluation considers radial zoning distance from the ethanol source and material substrate types and surface textures. Classical key stages of Building Pathology, namely manifestation, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy, are considered.FindingsKey findings are that the colonisation of the fungus is non-uniform and dependent on the substrate building material. Additionally, rougher-textured building materials displayed heavier levels of fungal manifestation than smooth materials. Aspects such as distance, wind direction and moisture are considered relative to the extent and level of fungal growth.Originality/valueThis investigation provides the first assessment of the extent and nature of the fungal growth in properties built in surrounding areas to bonded warehouses. Such information can facilitate open dialogue between stakeholders that recognise the aspirations of values of corporate social responsibility, whilst balancing the economic importance of distilling with recognition of the fungus's impact on property values and appropriate recurring remedial treatments.

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Synergistic interactions between Stachybotrys chartarum and other indoor fungal species in moisture-damaged houses

10.1101/2021.07.13.452289 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Paris Chakravarty

Keyword(s):

Aspergillus Niger ◽

Penicillium Chrysogenum ◽

Building Materials ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Antagonistic Effect ◽

Stachybotrys Chartarum ◽

In Vitro Growth ◽

Synergistic Interactions ◽

Cladosporium Herbarum

The interactions between six commonly occurring fungal species in damp or water-damaged houses in southern California were studied. These fungal species were Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Stachybotrys chartarum. In the damp building materials, S. chartarum was found to be associated with A. niger, C. globosum, and P. chrysogenum but not with A. alternata and C. herbarum. Stachybotrys chartarum showed strong antagonistic effect against A. alternata and C. herbarum and significantly inhibited in vitro growth of A. alternata and C. herbarum but had no effect on A. niger, C. globosum, and P. chrysogenum. Two trichothecenes, produced by S. chartarum, trichodermin and trichodermol, significantly inhibited spore germination and in vitro growth of A. alternata and C. herbarum but had no effect on A. niger, C. globosum, P. chrysogenum and S. chartarum. In the damp building materials (drywall, ceiling tile, and oak woods), S. chartarum significantly inhibited the growth of A. alternata and C. herbarum and had no effect on the growth and colonization of A. niger, C. globosum, P. chrysogenum in these substrata.

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Screening and selection of autochthonous fungi from leachate contaminated-soil for bioremediation of different types of leachate

Environmental Engineering Research ◽

10.4491/eer.2019.317 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 722-734

Author(s):

Yassine Zegzouti ◽

Aziz Boutafda ◽

Loubna El Fels ◽

Miloud El Hadek ◽

Fatou Ndoye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soil ◽

Fusarium Solani ◽

High Capacity ◽

Fungal Growth ◽

Sole Source ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Malt Extract ◽

Enrichment Method ◽

Different Types ◽

Selection Of

This study aims to use contaminated soil with leachate to select autochthonous fungi that are able to bioremediate three types of leachate, (Young (YL), Intermediate (IL) and Old (OL)). Eleven fungal species were isolated via the enrichment method using the leachate as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolates were evaluated for their ability to grow and remove organic pollutants at 100%, 50% and 25% (v/v) of leachate in both solid and liquid cultures that were spiked with malt extract. The results indicated that only three fungi, Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus-LC106118), Aspergillus niger (A. niger-KT192262) and Fusarium solani (F. solani-KX349467) showed significantly high capacity to grow on leachate, with maximum radial growth rates (Gr) of 7.5 mm, 4.7 mm , and 5.3 mm, respectively. In addition, 34%, 22%, and 27%, respectively of COD removal rates were obtained at 25% concentration in YL. A. flavus was the most tolerant fungus against landfill leachate, followed by F. solani, and finally A. niger. Therefore, these three fungi are good candidates for leachate bioremediation. However, for a better remediation, the combined effects of different types of fungi and leachates on the fungal growth need to be considered during the fungi selection.

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MYCOBIOTA ISOLATION AND AFLATOXIN B1 CONTAMINATION IN FRESH AND STORED SESAME SEEDS FROM RAINFED AND IRRIGATED ZONES OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/jfp-21-060 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

MARYAM AJMAL ◽

Abida Akram ◽

Nafeesa Qudsia Hanif ◽

Tariq Mukhtar ◽

Muhammad Arshad

Keyword(s):

Agar Plate ◽

Fungal Growth ◽

Sesame Seed ◽

Initial Step ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Aspergillus Ochraceus ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Sesame Seeds ◽

Layer Chromatography ◽

Mean Concentration

Study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of mycobiota and contamination of AFB 1 in sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones of the Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, 100 sesame seed samples were collected directly from the fields of major sesame-producing areas of the rainfed and irrigated zone. Samples were subjected to the Agar Plate Method for the isolation of mycobiota and thin-layer chromatography for AFB 1 contaminations. Then, seed samples were stored for 12 months. After 12 months, the seeds were again analyzed for mycobiota and AFB 1 contaminations for comparison. The result of the present study revealed that all samples were reported positive for fungal growth in fresh and stored conditions. Twenty-one fungal species belonging to ten different fungal genera were isolated. Aspergillus flavus was the leading contaminant found in fresh and stored sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zone followed by A. niger, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum . Least reported fungi were Aspergillus ochraceus and Cladosporium oxysporum. AFB 1 analysis revealed that 92% fresh and 99% stored samples were contaminated with AFB 1 . In the rainfed zone, 88% fresh and 100% stored samples were contaminated with AFB 1 with a mean concentration of 15.74ppb and 33.8ppb, respectively. Similarly, in the irrigated zone, 96% fresh and 98% stored samples were contaminated with AFB 1 with a mean concentration of 20.5ppb and 27.56ppb, respectively. 20% fresh and 100% stored samples from rainfed zone and 28% fresh and 60% stored samples from irrigated zone were tainted with AFB 1 levels above 20 ppb, not fit for human consumption as per maximum limit (20ppb) assigned by FDA and FAO. This is the first-ever report of mycobiota and AFB 1 contamination in sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones of the Punjab, Pakistan. This baseline data will be considered as an initial step to tackle this significant problem.

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An analytical study on the relationship between the fungal degradation and multi-component nature of paper manuscripts

Pigment & Resin Technology ◽

10.1108/prt-07-2020-0074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Maisa Mohamed Ali Mansour ◽

Rushdya Rabee Ali Hassan ◽

Salwa Moustafa Amer Mahmoud ◽

Youssif Mohamed Akl

Keyword(s):

Fungal Growth ◽

Diffraction Method ◽

Crystallinity Index ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Environmental Scanning ◽

Content Type ◽

Fungal Degradation ◽

Additive Materials ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to identify the most common fungal species that grow on paper manuscripts and cause bio-deterioration. It also detects the impact of additive materials on fungal degrading and builds a wide database. Thus, it helps conservators understand this phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach In total, 15 samples were collected from different paper manuscripts suffering from fungi. The achievement of the study objectives depends on using a variety of analyzes, such as a microbiological study, which indicated that three main fungi grew on the paper samples. Then, a digital microscope and an environmental scanning electron microscope were used to detect the effect of fungi on paper fibers. Fourier transform infrared microscopy was used to identify the binding medium and the X-ray diffraction method was used to measure the crystallinity index of cellulose of the paper samples. Findings Arabic gum was used as a binder medium with the samples. Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus Fumigatus and Aspergillus Clavatus were the most common fungal species that grew on the Qur’an papers under investigation. They also caused much common damage to the paper samples. The results of the analyzes also showed that the highest crystallinity index of cellulose was in the samples that contained the lowest rate of fungal growth. Originality/value This paper highlights the relationship between fungal degradation and the multi-component nature of paper manuscripts. It builds a wide database that correlates the composition and the degradation of the Qur’an papers.

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Scanning electron microscopy of asbestos-containing material where the asbestos fibers are considered locked in a binder

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100148198 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 472-473

Author(s):

J. R. Millette ◽

R. S. Brown

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Building Materials ◽

The United States ◽

Protection Agency ◽

Asbestos Fibers ◽

Different Types ◽

Binder Material ◽

Scanning Electron

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labeled as “friable” those building materials that are likely to readily release fibers. Friable materials when dry, can easily be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder using hand pressure. Other asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) where the asbestos fibers are in a matrix of cement or bituminous or resinous binders are considered non-friable. However, when subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting or other forms of abrasion, these non-friable materials are to be treated as friable asbestos material. There has been a hypothesis that all raw asbestos fibers are encapsulated in solvents and binders and are not released as individual fibers if the material is cut or abraded. Examination of a number of different types of non-friable materials under the SEM show that after cutting or abrasion, tuffs or bundles of fibers are evident on the surfaces of the materials. When these tuffs or bundles are examined, they are shown to contain asbestos fibers which are free from binder material. These free fibers may be released into the air upon further cutting or abrasion.

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Advantages and potential challenges of data management in e-maintenance

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering ◽

10.1108/jqme-03-2018-0018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 378-396 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Arian Razmi-Farooji ◽

Hanna Kropsu-Vehkaperä ◽

Janne Härkönen ◽

Harri Haapasalo

Keyword(s):

Data Management ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Management Practices ◽

Future Research ◽

Conceptual Approach ◽

Content Type ◽

Different Types ◽

Maintenance Systems ◽

Industry Leader ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to understand data management challenges in e-maintenance systems from a holistically viewpoint through summarizing the earlier scattered research in the field, and second, to present a conceptual approach for addressing these challenges in practice. Design/methodology/approach The study is realized as a combination of a literature review and by the means of analyzing the practices on an industry leader in manufacturing and maintenance services. Findings This research provides a general understanding over data management challenges in e-maintenance and summarizes their associated proposed solutions. In addition, this paper lists and exemplifies different types and sources of data which can be collected in e-maintenance, across different organizational levels. Analyzing the data management practices of an e-maintenance industry leader provides a conceptual approach to address identified challenges in practice. Research limitations/implications Since this paper is based on studying the practices of a single company, it might be limited to generalize the results. Future research topics can focus on each of mentioned data management challenges and also validate the applicability of presented model in other companies and industries. Practical implications Understanding the e-maintenance-related challenges helps maintenance managers and other involved stakeholders in e-maintenance systems to better solve the challenges. Originality/value The so-far literature on e-maintenance has been studied with narrow focus to data and data management in e-maintenance appears as one of the less studied topics in the literature. This research paper contributes to e-maintenance by highlighting the deficiencies of the discussion surrounding the perspectives of data management in e-maintenance by studying all common data management challenges and listing different types of data which need to be acquired in e-maintenance systems.

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Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase-Mediated Metabolic Utilization of Benzo[a]Pyrene by Aspergillus Species

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.00558-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Erin M. Ostrem Loss ◽

Mi-Kyung Lee ◽

Ming-Yueh Wu ◽

Julia Martien ◽

Wanping Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cytochrome P450 ◽

Environmental Pollutants ◽

Energy Generation ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Metabolic Changes ◽

Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase ◽

Cellular Growth ◽

P450 Monooxygenase ◽

Content Type ◽

Fundamental Knowledge

ABSTRACT Soil-dwelling fungal species possess the versatile metabolic capability to degrade complex organic compounds that are toxic to humans, yet the mechanisms they employ remain largely unknown. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a pervasive carcinogenic contaminant, posing a significant concern for human health. Here, we report that several Aspergillus species are capable of degrading BaP. Exposing Aspergillus nidulans cells to BaP results in transcriptomic and metabolic changes associated with cellular growth and energy generation, implying that the fungus utilizes BaP as a growth substrate. Importantly, we identify and characterize the conserved bapA gene encoding a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase that is necessary for the metabolic utilization of BaP in Aspergillus. We further demonstrate that the fungal NF-κB-type velvet regulators VeA and VelB are required for proper expression of bapA in response to nutrient limitation and BaP degradation in A. nidulans. Our study illuminates fundamental knowledge of fungal BaP metabolism and provides novel insights into enhancing bioremediation potential. IMPORTANCE We are increasingly exposed to environmental pollutants, including the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which has prompted extensive research into human metabolism of toxicants. However, little is known about metabolic mechanisms employed by fungi that are able to use some toxic pollutants as the substrates for growth, leaving innocuous by-products. This study systemically demonstrates that a common soil-dwelling fungus is able to use benzo[a]pyrene as food, which results in expression and metabolic changes associated with growth and energy generation. Importantly, this study reveals key components of the metabolic utilization of BaP, notably a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and the fungal NF-κB-type transcriptional regulators. Our study advances fundamental knowledge of fungal BaP metabolism and provides novel insight into designing and implementing enhanced bioremediation strategies.

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