Two sampling methods for the Petri dish detection of airborne fungi.

摘要

Burkard personal samplers for Petri dishes use two air throughput devices, either with a sieve or with a funnel, for monitoring of airborne fungi concentration. These two different methods have been compared in a comparative study. The two personal traps used for comparison were run simultaneously, one equipped with a sieve and one with a funnel only. Possible correlations with rainfall, temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity were studied. The average concentrations were 74 and 339 colony forming units/m3 (a factor of 4.6 difference) for the funnel and sieve devices, respectively. More than 70 taxa of airborne fungi were identified. The four most important genera in decreasing order of concentration were Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Aspergillus, the last two present in similar concentration. A significant negative correlation with wind speed was detected. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between the two sampler types except for Alternaria. In conclusion, the sampler with a sieve provides more colonies than the same sampler with a funnel. Both kinds of samplers are affected by wind speed, with the capture of airborne fungi propagules being reduced as the speed increases.