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The study investigates the aeromycoflora at Raipur Railway Station during the summer season (March to June) from July 2007 to June 2008. Using the gravimetric method, fungal spores were collected through exposed Petri plates with PDA medium and incubated for identification and analysis. A total of 27 fungal species belonging to 14 genera and four major fungal groups-Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, Anamorphic fungi, and Mycelia sterilia-were identified. Anamorphic fungi contributed the highest percentage of fungal colonies (351 colonies from 22 species), followed by Mycelia sterilia (20 colonies), Zygomycotina (10 colonies), and Ascomycotina (6 colonies). Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were the most dominant species throughout the study, consistent with previous reports from similar environments. Monthly variations indicated that March had the highest species diversity, while April recorded the lowest. The results emphasize the influence of meteorological factors such as temperature and humidity on fungal spore distribution. This study contributes to understanding aeromycoflora diversity in public environments and its potential health impacts.
ABSTRACT:
The study investigates the aeromycoflora at Raipur Railway Station during the summer season (March to June) from July 2007 to June 2008. Using the gravimetric method, fungal spores were collected through exposed Petri plates with PDA medium and incubated for identification and analysis. A total of 27 fungal species belonging to 14 genera and four major fungal groups-Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, Anamorphic fungi, and Mycelia sterilia-were identified. Anamorphic fungi contributed the highest percentage of fungal colonies (351 colonies from 22 species), followed by Mycelia sterilia (20 colonies), Zygomycotina (10 colonies), and Ascomycotina (6 colonies). Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were the most dominant species throughout the study, consistent with previous reports from similar environments. Monthly variations indicated that March had the highest species diversity, while April recorded the lowest. The results emphasize the influence of meteorological factors such as temperature and humidity on fungal spore distribution. This study contributes to understanding aeromycoflora diversity in public environments and its potential health impacts.
KEYWORDS: Aeromycoflora, Railway Station, Raipur, Summer Season
INTRODUCTION:
Aerobiological study of outdoor field focused on different type of fungal species present in the environment and make it unhygienic which is directly related with health and these fungal spores are consistently present in the airborne environment, although levels vary according to climate, season, diurnal influences, vegetation and location etc. It is well known that fungi can survive in almost every region and climate. Many fungus spores can survive in difficult conditions like low temperature in winter and high temperatures in summer and can be transported by air. Meteorological factor influences the distribution of fungal species of particular area.
Fungal spores constitute a significant fraction of bioaerosol and they are often much more numerous than other airborne bio particulate matters. Among the different microorganisms in bioaerosol, fungal spores are larger ranging from 3 to 30 um in diameter with various sources. The concentration of airborne microorganisms is correlated with the presence of dust and human activities. In addition, the concentration of fungal spores in the air is linked to geographical regions, seasonal variation and distributions in one particular region can be helpful in identifying the relationship between their related domestic sensibility, diagnosis and clinical prevention of seasonal allergic diseases. Different studies indicate that fungal extracts can cause allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in indoor dwellings.
Exposure to airborne pathogens is a major risk factor for human health. It has been shown that microorganisms (e.g., fungi, viruses, and bacteria) from environmental sources may disperse over great distances by air currents and ultimately be inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with individual who have had no contact with the infectious source. Air pollution from dampness and moulds, chemicals and other biological agents in one of the most public health problems with increasing importance due to the adverse health effects on humans, animals and plants. Fungi are an important part of airborne microflora that beyond the air, have been widely distribution soil, water and decaying waste.
MATERIAL AND METHOD:
In the present study for analysis of the Aeromycoflora, railway station of Raipur were selected in the year July 2007 to June 2008. For survey of Aeromycoflora, ten sterilized Petriplates containing PDA media were exposed 5 to 10 min. at Railway station of Raipur. These exposed Petri plates brought in to the laboratory and incubated at 261°C. At the end of incubation period fungal colonies are counted, isolated and identified with the help of available literatures and finally identified by the authentic authority. For ecological studies at the end of the incubation period of Aeromycoflora, during the survey period percentage frequency and percentage contribution of fungal flora is calculated with the help of the following formula.
(ProQuest: ... denotes formula omitted.)
Meteorological data:
Meteorological data (Temperature, Relative humidity and rainfall) were recorded from July 2007 to June 2008 from the meteorological department, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.).
RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
During summer season total 27 fungal species (387 colonies) belongs to 14 genera were recorded. Among them, 02 species (10 colonies) belong to 02 genera from Zygomycotina, 01 species (06 colonies) belong to 01 genus from Ascomycotina, 22 species (351 colonies) belong to 10 genera from Anamorphic fungi and 02 species (20 colonies) belongs to 01 genus from Mycelia sterilia were recorded. (Table-1, Fig 1).
The group Basidiomycotina was absent during summer season.
During March month, a total 21 fungal species (139 colonies) belong to 11 genera were recorded. Among them, 01 species (04 colonies) belong to 01 genus from Zygomycotina, 18 species (129 colonies) belong to 09 genera from Anamorphic fungi and 02 species (06 colonies) belongs to 01 genus from Mycelia sterilia were recorded. (Fig 2).
During April, a total 10 fungal species (65 colonies) belong to 05 genera were observed. Out of total, 09 fungal species (61 colonies) belong to 04 genera from Anamorphic fungi and 01 species (04 colonies) belongs to 01 genus from Mycelia sterilia were recorded. (Fig 3). Zygomycotina, Basidiomycotina, Ascomycotina was totally absent in this month.
In May month, a total 07 fungal species (88 colonies) belong to 04 genera were observed out of them 01 species (01 colony) belong to 01 genus from Zygomycotina, 01 species (02 colonies) belong to 01 genus from Ascomycotina and 05 species (85 colonies) belongs to 02 genera from Anamorphic fungi were recorded. (Fig 4).
In June month, a total 13 fungal species (95 colonies) belong to 09 genera were recorded. Among them 01 species (05 colonies) belong to 01 genus from Zygomycotina, 01 species (04 colonies) belong to 01 genus from Ascomycotina, 10 species (76 colonies) belong to 06 genera from Anamorphic fungi and Ol species (10 colonies) belongs to 01 genus from Mycelia sterilia were recorded. (Fig-5).
Throughout the investigation period Aspergillus flavus and A. niger was noted as a most frequent fungal species. These result match with Singh (2006)! also reported that the Aspergillus niger was most frequent fungi in the leaf surface mycoflora of Mentha Arvensis. Similar result found Verma and George (1977)? recorded the Aspergillus niger as most frequent fungi in the air of Jabalpur. Similar result was found Jadhav (1996) in the aeromycoflora over rice field at Balodabazar Raipur. Kunjam and Jadhav (2015)· reported seasonal variation of some Anamorphic fungal spores in the atmosphere of Panabaras Rajnandgaon district. The result also match with Masoomeh et.al. (2014)° in the outdoor environment in Tehran, Iran. It was also showed that groupwise maximum percentage contribution recorded for Anamorphic fungi. (Table-2 and Fig.2) Similar result found by Tiwari (1999)°, in the aerobiological studies of Raipur with special reference to fungal spores. Sharma (2001)7 observe maximum percentage contribution for anamorphic fungi in the leaf surface mycoflora of Ocimum Sanctum. Same result found Kunjam (2009)? ecological studies of aeromycoflora of Tribal area of Chhattisgarh. Lall (2008)? also found maximum percentage contribution for anamorphic fungi studies of indoor and outdoor aeromycoflora of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital, Raipur (C.G.) . During this study Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were the most contributed fungi. These results revealed with Bijaya Kumar Nayak (2015)! in different Bus Stand environments in Puducherry District. Tamami Kawasaki et.al. (2010)'! reported Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger was most dominant airborne fungi in railway station in Tokyo, Japan. Aspergillus niger is the most dominant species reported by Debasmita et.al. (2020)'? at Identification and distribution of aeromycoflora in the indoor environment of Shyambazar Metro Station, Kolkata.
CONCLUSION:
This study highlights that Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger are dominant during the summer at Raipur Railway Station, consistent with similar studies in different locations. Understanding the distribution of aeromycoflora is crucial for public health monitoring and controlling airborne fungal infections.
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