• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 2012

Fungal particles have been known to aggravate indoor air quality. To develop fungal particle cleaning devices requires a well-controlled generator of fungal aerosol particles. In this study, a novel fungal aerosol generator was designed and tested for anti-fungal experiment. Cladosporium cladosporioides was selected as test fungal particle. After aerosolization, the number concentration and the size of particles were measured by aerodynamic particle sizer. The number concentration depended on the vibration strength and vibration period of the designed fungal aerosol generator. For the vibration strength of 10volt and the period of 10 sec (5 sec on and 5 sec off), the stable particle generation with concentration of 10#/cm3 was maintained during 35 minutes.

• Architectural research
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2006

A fungal spore transportation model that accounts for the concentration of airborne indoor spores and the amount of spores deposited on interior surfaces has been developed by extending the current aerosol model. This model is intended to be used for a building with a mechanical ventilation system, and considers HVAC filter efficiency and ventilation rate. The model also includes a surface-cleaning efficiency and frequency that removes a portion of spores deposited on surfaces. The developed model predicts indoor fungal spore concentration and provides an indoor/outdoor ratio that may increase or decrease mold growth risks in real, in-use building cases. To get a more useful outcome from the model simulation, an uncertainty analysis has been conducted in a real building case. By including uncertainties associated with the parameters in the spore transportation model, the simulation results provide probable ranges of indoor concentration and indoor/outdoor ratio. This paper describes the uncertainty quantification of each parameter that is specific to fungal spores, and uncertainty propagation using an appropriate statistical technique. The outcome of the uncertainty analysis showed an agreement with the results from the field measurement with air sampling in a real building.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.131-134
• /
• 2006

The in vitro anti-fungal activity of hydroxylated fatty acids obtained from microbial conversion by Psuedomonas aeruginosa PR3 using ricinoleic acid(RA), eicosadienoic acid(EDA) and conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) as substrates, was investigated. Bioconverted hydroxylated fatty acids showed different anti-fungal activities potentials against the range of phytopathogenic fungi such as Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotonia sclerotiorum, Colletotricum capsici, Fusarium solani and Phytophthora capsici. RA and EDA showed up to 50% fungal mycelial inhibition at the concentration of $5{\mu}l\;ml^{-1}$. RA, EDA and CLA also exhibited anti-fungal activities with minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC), ranging from 500 to $1000{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$. Screening was also carried out using varied concentrations of bioconverted RA and EDA for determining the anti-fungal effect on the spore germination of different fungi. Bioconverted RA and EDA showed a considerable degree of spore germination inhibition.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.69-76
• /
• 2004

Asian Dust samples were collected in the ambient air of Seosan, Western Korea, in spring of 2000∼2002. PM (Particulate Matter) concentrations were 199,8$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ in the first Asian Dust period (March, 23∼24) and 249.4$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ in the second period (April, 7∼9) of 2000. Compared with the concentrations in 2000, relatively low PM concentrations, 157.3$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ were measured in the periods of 2001 (April, 24∼26). Especially high PM concentration 953.1$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ were measured in the periods of 2002 (March, 21∼22). The variation in the PM concentration was observed according to the time for the formation of Asian dust. Considering the particle size distributions of Asian dust, a high concentration was also observed in coarse particle region. The results of backward trajectory model showed the route of the dust storms from northern area of Mongol and Gobi desert. Various mycelia grown from fungal spores were observed on the PM samples and identified at the genus level. All the genera from the three years (2000∼2002), Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Basipetospora, Epicoccum and Monotospora are hyphomycetes in the division Fungi imperfecti (Deuteromycota). Fungal composition on the dust sample in March, 2000 was similar to the result of March, 2002. However, the result of April, 2001 was obviously different from the other dust periods. The variations of fungal compositions between the dust periods could be caused by the trajectories of the dust storms.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.103-106
• /
• 2012

The effect of continuous humidifier use on the bioaerosol concentration in an indoor environment was investigated. An ultrasonic humidifier was operated for 10 hr per day for 15 days in an apartment room. During this time period, viable bioaerosol samples were taken using a single-stage Andersen sampler containing culture media plates for bacteria and fungi. The culture plates were then incubated at room temperature for 2~7 days depending on the media. The counts for the air sample plates were corrected for multiple impactions using the positive hole conversion method and are reported as the colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/$m^3$). While the bacterial concentration measured using the tryptic soy agar (TSA) did not show any significant change during the first 3 days, the concentration increased from the $6^{th}$ day (6979 CFU/$m^3$) and reached a maximum on the $9^{th}$ day (46431 CFU/$m^3$). The concentration then decreased to 2470 CFU/$m^3$ on the $12^{th}$ day, at which point the fungal concentration increased rapidly to 14424~16038 CFU/$m^3$. Also, while the fungal concentration showed a significant change until the $9^{th}$ day of humidifier use, fungal growth was observed on the wallpaper and increased rapidly from the $12^{th}$ day. However, the bacterial concentration increased rapidly after the fungi were removed by remediation. The major fungal species identified in the samples were Penicillium representing 34%, Aspergillus representing 31%, Cladosporium representing 24%, and Alternaria representing 1%. The results also indicated that a relative humidity over 80% was easily achieved with continuous humidifier use. Yet, maintaining a high humidity in a room can cause a rapid outbreak of microbial growth.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.395-400
• /
• 1994

In order to improve anthocyanin production, effects of fungal elicitation in hairy root culture were investigated. fungal elicitor prepared from Fusarium moniliforme was the best in enhancement of anthocyanin production among the eight fungal elicitors tested. The optimum treat-ment time and concentration of treated elicitor for anthocyanin production were 12 hours and 3.28 mg carbohydrates per liter medium. Also, fungal elicitor was treated to hairy root culture in flat-bottomed fluidized-bed bioreactor. The anthocyanin production of elicited culture was enhanced 227% than non-treated.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.295-299
• /
• 1993

The effect of fungal elicitor, Pluronic F-68 and methylcellulose on suspension culture of M piperita cells was investigated in shake flasks. About a two-fold increase in oil production was observed in response to the treatment of the fungal elicitor prepared from Rhodotorula rubra. Low concentration of Pluronic F-68 or methylcellulose enhanced Peppermint cell growth at 100 rpm of agitation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.565-571
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the tolerance of some resistant fungal strains from soils contaminated with heavy metals. Various fungal strains were isolated from soil samples collected from studied sites which heavy metals and other pollutants have been emitted in effluents for several years. Fungi isolated belong to different genera; however, Penicillium spp. showed the most frequent species. The microbial number was remarkably higher in the control soil than contaminated soil samples collected from mining areas. $Pb^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ had the highest concentration in the polluted soils ranging from 89 - 3,521 ppm and 98 - 4,383 ppm, respectively. The minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of $Pb^{+2}$ and $Zn^{+2}$ showed the highest values against the fungal strains. $Ni^{+2}$ and $Co^{+2}$ were the lowest contaminants in the polluted soils with the concentration of 5 to 12.1 ppm and 1.8 to 4.8 ppm, respectively. The tested resistant strains showed the strongest inhibition for $Ni^{+2}$ and $Co^{+2}$ up to 200-400 ppm. Cadmium was the most highly toxic heavy metal for most of strains, however, 1 mM of $Cr^{3+}$, $Cu^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ accelerated the growth of Penicillium verrucosum KNU3. $Cu^{+2}$ and $Zn^{+2}$ at concentration of 1 mM did not affect the growth rate P. funiculosum KNU4. Tolerance of fungal species to heavy metals appears to be strain and origin dependent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.661-667
• /
• 1999

The effect of fungal elicitor and heavy metal salts on the production of flavonol glycosides in cell cultures of Ginkgo biloba was investigated. Among the fungi tested, Trichoderma longibrachiatum ATCC 52326 was found to be the most efficient in the production of flavonol glycosides. Kaempferol production from the elicited callus increased ten-fold as compared to the unelicited callus, while quercetin concentration of elicited cells was nine-fold higher than that of uneliceited cells in suspension cultures. The maximum quercetin concentration of 0.362㎎/l was obtained in 1.25㎎/l of the homogenate elicitor. Among the heavy metal salts tested, CuSO₄ showed a significant effect on quercetin accumulation, reaching to the concentration of 0.526 ㎎/l. Quercetin concentration increased to a maximum of l2-fold in response to CuSO₄ treatment as compared to that of untreated cells. The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity and flavonol glycosides production simultaneously increased for 5 days of culture after fungal elicitor feeding, and their contents showed the same proportional patterns during the culture period. In contrast, PAL activity of cell cultures treated with CuSO₄ was almost constant during the culture period, although quercetin production increased remarkably.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.358-364
• /
• 2017

Asymmetric PCR preferentially amplifies one DNA strand for use in DNA hybridization studies. Linear-After-The-Exponential-PCR (LATE-PCR) is an advanced asymmetric PCR method which uses innovatively designed primers at different concentrations. This study aimed to optimise LATE-PCR parameters to produce single-stranded DNA of Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. for detection via probe hybridisation. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used to design limiting primer and excess primer for LATE-PCR. Primer annealing and melting temperature, difference of melting temperature between limiting and excess primer and concentration of primers were optimized. In order to confirm the presence of single-stranded DNA, the LATE-PCR product was hybridised with digoxigenin labeled complementary oligonucleotide probe specific for each fungal genus and detected using anti-digoxigenin antibody by dot blotting. Important parameters that determine the production of single-stranded DNA in a LATE-PCR reaction are difference of melting temperature between the limiting and excess primer of at least $5^{\circ}C$ and primer concentration ratio of excess primer to limiting primer at 20:1. LATE-PCR products of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Aspergillus terreus at up to 1:100 dilution and after 1 h hybridization time, successfully hybridised to respective oligonucleotide probes with no cross reactivity observed between each fungal genus probe and non-target products. For Aspergillus fumigatus, LATE-PCR products were detected at 1:10 dilution and after overnight hybridisation. These results indicate high detection sensitivity for single-stranded DNA produced by LATE-PCR. In conclusion, this advancement of PCR may be utilised to detect fungal pathogens which can aid the diagnosis of invasive fungal disease.