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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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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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.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 251 | 87 | 5 |
| Full Text Views | 37 | 5 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 37 | 8 | 0 |