Grzyby strzępkowe zasiedlające materiały budowlane. Wzrost oraz produkcja mikotoksyn i alergenów.

Grzyby strzępkowe występują powszechnie, a ich aktywny rozwój obserwuje się miedzy innymi na przegrodach budowlanych w pomieszczeniach mieszkalnych pod warunkiem odpowiednio wysokiej wilgotności. Znane są ich właściwości toksynotwórcze i alergenne ujawniane podczas wzrostu na zdefiniowanych podłożach mikrobiologicznych, jednak właściwości te podczas rozwoju grzybni na materiałach budowlanych są odmienne. W rutynowych badaniach mikologicznych pomieszczeń wyizolowane gatunki grzybów identyfikuje się i charakteryzuje pod względem toksynotwórczości i alergenności, wyłącznie na podstawie literatury.Filamentous fungi are common, among others, their active growth is observed on the walls in dwellings, however, there has to be high humidity. On defined microbiological media they show toxinogenic and allergenic properties during their growth, however, these properties can be different during mycelium’s growth on the building materials. In routinely conducted mycological researches of dwellings, isolated species of fungi are identified and their toxinogenicity and allergenicity are characterized, but only on the basis of the literature

Application of molecular techniques for the assessment of microorganism diversity on cultural heritage objects

As a result of their unpredictable ability to adapt to varying environmental conditions, microorganisms inhabit different types of biological niches on Earth. Owing to the key role of microorganisms in many biogeochemical processes, trends in modern microbiology emphasize the need to know and understand the structure and function of complex microbial communities. This is particularly important if the strategy relates to microbial communities that cause biodeterioration of materials that constitute our cultural heritage. Until recently, the detection and identification of microorganisms inhabiting objects of cultural value was based only on cultivation-dependent methods. In spite of many advantages, these methods provide limited information because they identify only viable organisms capable of growth under standard laboratory conditions. However, in order to carry out proper conservation and renovation, it is necessary to know the complete composition of microbial communities and their activity. This paper presents and characterizes modern techniques such as genetic fingerprinting and clone library construction for the assessment of microbial diversity based on molecular biology. Molecular methods represent a favourable alternative to culture dependent methods and make it possible to assess the biodiversity of microorganisms inhabiting technical materials and cultural heritage objects

Antimicrobial Activity and Filtration Effectiveness of Nonwovens with Sanitized for Respiratory Protective Equipment

The objective of the study was to optimise the production of bioactive filtration nonwovens with Sanitized® T 99-19, containing quaternary ammonium salts, by evaluating different production technologies (melt-blowing, needle punching), methods of biocide incorporation (bath, spraying), biocide concentration, and conditioning. The antimicrobial activity of nonwovens was tested against different microorganisms, from culture collection and workplaces, using the method AATCC 100. It was shown that the biological efficiency of nonwovens rose when the concentration of Sanitized was increased from 0.7% to 2%. Furthermore, higher biological activity was found in nonwovens subjected to a bath than in those which underwent spraying. The conditioning process did not significanty affect the antimicrobial activity of the nonwovens tested. As compared to melt-blown nonwovens, the needled variety were more efficient against both collection strains and those isolated from workplaces. Thus both types of nonwovens may be used for the production of bioactive halfmasks protecting the respiratory tract of workers exposed to microorganism

Antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles against biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa on archaeological textiles

The aims of this work were to: (i) microscopically analyse the pre- and post-Columbian archaeological textiles using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDX); (ii) microbiologically analyse the archaeological textiles (from the Southern Andean Area, La Plata Museum); (iii) determine the ability of Pseudomonas sp. isolates from archaeological textiles to biofilm formation by SEM; (iv) assess the anti-biofilm properties of AgNPs protecting cotton against Pseudomonas sp. Results showed the presence of bacteria with proteolytic and lipolytic activities on archaeological textiles, including Clostridium sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two nucleotide sequences of 16S ribosomal RNA gene of P. aeruginosa strains were deposited in GeneBank NCBI database with accession numbers: KP842564 (strain 1) and KP842565 (strain 2). Those strains exhibited different morphological and growth characteristics: strain 1 with ability to form biofilms on archaeological textiles was rod-shaped, produced bluish-green pigment, and smaller than strain 2; and strain 2 was pleomorphic and produced brown pigment. The use of silver nanoparticles (90 ppm, φ 10–80 nm) allowed to protecting textiles against P. aeruginosa growth by 63%–97%, depending on the strain and exposition time.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

Antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles against biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa on archaeological textiles

The aims of this work were to: (i) microscopically analyse the pre- and post-Columbian archaeological textiles using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDX); (ii) microbiologically analyse the archaeological textiles (from the Southern Andean Area, La Plata Museum); (iii) determine the ability of Pseudomonas sp. isolates from archaeological textiles to biofilm formation by SEM; (iv) assess the anti-biofilm properties of AgNPs protecting cotton against Pseudomonas sp. Results showed the presence of bacteria with proteolytic and lipolytic activities on archaeological textiles, including Clostridium sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two nucleotide sequences of 16S ribosomal RNA gene of P. aeruginosa strains were deposited in GeneBank NCBI database with accession numbers: KP842564 (strain 1) and KP842565 (strain 2). Those strains exhibited different morphological and growth characteristics: strain 1 with ability to form biofilms on archaeological textiles was rod-shaped, produced bluish-green pigment, and smaller than strain 2; and strain 2 was pleomorphic and produced brown pigment. The use of silver nanoparticles (90 ppm, φ 10–80 nm) allowed to protecting textiles against P. aeruginosa growth by 63%–97%, depending on the strain and exposition time.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

Antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles against biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa on archaeological textiles

The aims of this work were to: (i) microscopically analyse the pre- and post-Columbian archaeological textiles using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDX); (ii) microbiologically analyse the archaeological textiles (from the Southern Andean Area, La Plata Museum); (iii) determine the ability of Pseudomonas sp. isolates from archaeological textiles to biofilm formation by SEM; (iv) assess the anti-biofilm properties of AgNPs protecting cotton against Pseudomonas sp. Results showed the presence of bacteria with proteolytic and lipolytic activities on archaeological textiles, including Clostridium sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two nucleotide sequences of 16S ribosomal RNA gene of P. aeruginosa strains were deposited in GeneBank NCBI database with accession numbers: KP842564 (strain 1) and KP842565 (strain 2). Those strains exhibited different morphological and growth characteristics: strain 1 with ability to form biofilms on archaeological textiles was rod-shaped, produced bluish-green pigment, and smaller than strain 2; and strain 2 was pleomorphic and produced brown pigment. The use of silver nanoparticles (90 ppm, φ 10–80 nm) allowed to protecting textiles against P. aeruginosa growth by 63%–97%, depending on the strain and exposition time.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

Influence of silver nanoparticles on metabolism and toxicity of moulds*

The unique antimicrobial features of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are commonly applied in innumerable products. The lack of published studies on the mechanisms of AgNPs action on fungi resulted in identification of the aim of this study, which was: the determination of the influence of AgNPs on the mould cytotoxicity for swine kidney cells (MTT test) and the production of selected mycotoxins, organic acids, extracellular enzymes by moulds. The conducted study had shown that silver nanoparticles can change the metabolism and toxicity of moulds. AgNPs decrease the mycotoxin production of Aspergillus sp. (81-96%) and reduce mould cytotoxicity (50-75%). AgNPs influence the organic acid production of A. niger and P. chrysogenum by decreasing their concentration (especially of the oxalic and citric acid). Also, a change in the extracellular enzyme profile of A. niger and P. chrysogenum was observed, however, the total enzymatic activity was increased

Odour reducing microbial-mineral additive for poultry manure treatment

Poultry production systems are associated with emissions of odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), greenhouse gases, and particulate matter. Development of mitigation technologies for these emissions is important. Previous laboratory-scale research on microbial-mineral treatment has shown to be effective for mitigation of NH3, H2S and amines emissions from poultry manure. The aim of this research was to assess the effectiveness of surface application of a microbial-mineral treatment for other important odorants, i.e., phenolics and sulfur-containing VOCs. Microbial-mineral litter additive consisting of 20% (w/w) of bacteria powder (six strains of heterotrophic bacteria) and 80% of mineral carrier (perlite-bentonite) was used at a dose of 500 g∙m-2(per ~31 kg of manure). Samples of air were collected in two series, 4 and 7 days after application of additives. An odor profile of the poultry manure was determined using simultaneous chemical and sensory analysis. Reduction levels of VOCs determined on Day 4 was between 31% and 83% for mineral adsorbent treatment and in the range of 9% and 96% for microbial-mineral additive, depending on the analyzed compound. Reduction levels on Day 7 were considerably lower than on Day 4, suggesting that the odorous VOCs treatment efficacy is relatively short. There was no significant difference between treatments consisting of microbial-mineral additive and mineral carrier alone

Abiotic Determinants of the Historical Buildings Biodeterioration in the Former Auschwitz II – Birkenau Concentration and Extermination Camp

The paper presents the results of a study conducted at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświecim on the occurrence of biodeterioration. Visual assessment of the buildings revealed signs of deterioration of the buildings in the form of dampness, bulging and crumbling plaster, and wood fiber splitting. The external surfaces, and especially the concrete strips and ground immediately adjoining the buildings, were colonized by bryophytes, lichens, and algae. These organisms developed most intensively close to the ground on the northern sides of the buildings. Inside the buildings, molds and bacteria were not found to develop actively, while algae and wood-decaying fungi occurred locally. The factors conducive to biological corrosion in the studied buildings were excessive dampness of structural partitions close to the ground and a relative air humidity of above 70%, which was connected to ineffective moisture insulation. The influence of temperature was smaller, as it mostly affected the quantitative composition of the microorganisms and the qualitative composition of the algae. Also the impact of light was not very strong, but it was conducive to algae growth