Monitoring of the environmental fungal burden and other bioaerosols in a deposit of mummified remains of the NOA of the Museum of la Plata (Argentina): a case study.

Abstract

Monitoring of the environmental fungal load and other bioaerosols in a deposit of mummified remains of the NOA of the Museum of la Plata (Argentina): a case study. The aim of this work was to carry out a survey on the airborne fungal charge and other bioaerosols associated with a repository of mummified legacy from the Argentinian North West from the La Plata Museum. Two types of monitoring were performed: i) a viable and non viable aerobiological sampling in the exterior air of the repository, in the indoor air within the same and inside 3 cabinets containing human remains; and ii) a study and culture of the micobiota associated to the surface of materials with evident signs of biodeterioration. Based on the aerobiological sampling, the greatest diversity and spore concentration was registered in the outside environment, being Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria sp. and Penicillium sp. the most representative taxa. Either inside the repository of the 3 cabinets, showed a particular fungal charge, the presence of Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp. and Aspergillus sp. was characteristic. The analysis of contact samples makes evident the presence of Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium frequentans and Talaromyces helicus. The knowledge of fungal microorganisms present in indoor environments is essential for heritage conservation and human health subjects.