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Estimation of fungal contamination and mycotoxin production at workplaces in composting plants, tanneries, archives and libraries

In: World Mycotoxin Journal
Authors:
B. Gutarowska Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, 171/173 Wólczańska St, 90-924 Łódź, Poland

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J. Skóra Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, 171/173 Wólczańska St, 90-924 Łódź, Poland

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L. Stępień Institute of Plant Genetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 Strzeszyńska St, 60-479 Poznań, Poland

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M. Twarużek Division of Physiology and Toxicology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, 30 Chodkiewicza St, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland

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A. Błajet-Kosicka Division of Physiology and Toxicology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, 30 Chodkiewicza St, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland

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A. Otlewska Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, 171/173 Wólczańska St, 90-924 Łódź, Poland

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J. Grajewski Division of Physiology and Toxicology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, 30 Chodkiewicza St, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland

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The aim of this research was to estimate fungal contamination at workplaces in composting plants, tanneries, libraries and archives. The influence of raw material processed or stored at these workplaces (compost, leather, cellulose) on the toxigenicity and cytotoxicity of fungi was also investigated. Qualitative and quantitative mycological analysis confirmed a high contamination in composting plants and tanneries, while materials in archives and libraries were less contaminated. Among the 74 fungal species present in the studied work environments, 15 species were identified as useful indicators of microbial contamination based on their presence at the workplace, frequency of occurrence and harmfulness to health. For nineAspergillus andPenicillium isolates, identification was confirmed on the basis of molecular techniques, i.e. internal transcribed spacer region and β-tubulin gene sequencing, and the obtained nucleotide sequences were deposited into the NCBI GenBank Database. Five strains were cytotoxic to swine kidney cells. Strains ofAspergillus fumigatus originating from a composting plant produced large quantities of fumitremorgin C, fumiquinazoline F, fumagillin, fumigaclavine, helvolic acid, methylsulochrin, pyripyropene A, brevianamid F, verruculogen and others, as analysed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In the case ofPenicillium chrysogenum originating from a tannery, meleagrin, secalonic acid D, roquefortine C, emodin and other metabolites were detected. These findings confirmed the hypothesis that these species may be a health risk factor to workers. Interestingly, the presence of compost extract, leather or cellulose in the culture medium apparently affected the ability of the selected fungi to produce (cytotoxic) mycotoxins.

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