Air sampling of fungal spores on filters. An investigation on passive sampling and viability

In this study, glycerol was tested as a collection substrate for passive bi oaerosol sampling. Filters (mixed cellulose acetate and nitrate) were soake d in glycerol and exposed for an aerosol from three different fungal specie s: Penicillum commune. Aspergillus versicolor and Paecilomyces variotii The passive sampling method was compared with a closed-face polycarbonate filt er sampling method. Exposure was performed in an exposure chamber. The tota l number of spores was determined by microscopic techniques, and the cultiv able number was determined by cultivation on Malt Extract Agar dishes. The glycerol soaked filter demonstrated a good correlation with the closed-face sampler with regard to the total count. Spores stored in a pumped filter c assette were not affected by storage for up to 7 days. On the other hand, t he culturability of the spores was markedly decreased after 1 day when stor ed on glycerol soaked filters.