Indoor and outdoor mycoflora in the different districts of the city of Istanbul (Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, the mycoflora in indoor and outdoor air in the six different districts of the city of Istanbul were investigated at two monthly intervals from November 15, 2001 to September 15, 2002. The aim of the study was to find out the densities of airborne fungal spores that can cause an allergic response on inhalation and/or asthma. A total of 504 samples were observed by using the Petri Plate Gravitational Method; fungi were isolated from these samples and 2198 colonies were counted. Identification of these showed 18 genera, 40 species and 6 colonies of indeterminate spores from the indoor air samples and 19 genera, 32 species and 12 colonies of indeterminate spores from the outdoor air. The identification of the fungi was made according to their microscopic, macromorphological properties and through references. The dominant genera were the same in both indoor and outdoor air. Penicillium was found in greatest abundance followed by Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Fusarium. There were some differences between the environments as Cladosporium and Alternaria were found more often in the outdoor air. Overall the results showed that in all districts there was a high density of the fungi Penicillium and Aspergillus in the indoor air while in the outdoor air, Cladosporium and Alternaria densities were high. There were also differences in the distribution of other fungal genera between the indoor and outdoor air samples.