A New Field-Compatible Methodology for the Collection and Analysis of Fungal Fragments.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Seo, Sung-Chul; Grinshpun, Sergey A.; Iossifova, Yulia; Schmechel, Detlef; Rao, Carol Y.; Reponen, Tiina
- Source
- Aerosol Science & Technology. Aug2007, Vol. 41 Issue 8, p794-803. 10p. 1 Diagram, 1 Chart, 6 Graphs.
- Subject
- *AEROSOLS
*FUNGAL cultures
*PARTICLE size determination
*ASPERGILLUS
*STACHYBOTRYS
*LIMULUS test
*GLUCANS
*FRAGMENTATION reactions
*MACHINE separators
*EQUIPMENT & supplies
- Language
- ISSN
- 0278-6826
A field-compatible collection system was developed and tested for the collection and analysis of fungal fragments. The new collection system consists of two types of Sharp-Cut cyclone samplers (PM2.5 and PM1.0) and an after-filter. Fungal particles are collected into three size fractions: (1) spores (>2.5 μ m); (2) a fragment-spore mixture (1.0-2.5 μ m); and (3) submicrometer-sized fragments (<1.0 μ m). The system was laboratory-tested using polystyrene latex (PSL) particles and particulate matter aerosolized from sporulating Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys chartarum cultures. In addition to the particle count measured with direct-reading instruments, the (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan content in each size fraction was determined with the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. Experiments conducted with PSL particles showed that the 50% cut-off values of the two cyclone samplers under the test conditions were 2.25 μ m and 1.05 μ m, respectively. No particle bounce onto the after-filter was observed when the total particle number entering the collection system was kept below 1.6 × 108. The (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan assay of samples aerosolized from both fungal species suggested that surface area is an important factor for determining the (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan content in the entire size-range of particles. In conclusion, the new methodology is a promising tool for separating and analyzing fungal fragment samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]