Abstract

AIRBORNE FUNGAL SURVEY OF JNANABHARATHI CAMPUS, BANGALORE UNIVERSITY

Roopshree.S and R.K. Somashekar*

ABSTRACT

Fungal spores are responsible for various allergic ailments like rhinitis, bronchial asthma, hypersensitive pneumonitis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, etc., in human beings. A detailed knowledge on the qualitative and quantitative prevalence of aeromycoflora of the area is therefore a prerequisite for effective management of allergic disorders. The concentration and diversity of airborne fungi of the Bangalore city was assayed for a period of one year from January 2011 to December 2011 using Vertical cylinder trap sampler. The data recorded from the Spore Trap was further analyzed for per cent catch determination, total spores concentration, seasonal periodicities and diurnal variations. Cladosporium spp. (58.9%), Smut (12.3%,) Alternaria spp. (8.2%), Basidiospores (3.8%), Helminthosporium spp (3.0%), Ascospores (2.0%) and Curvularia spp. (1.6%), Aspergillus spp. (1.5%) emerged to be major components constituting more than 70% of the airborne fungal flora. Cladosporium and Curvularia displayed a clear seasonal trend, while no clear seasonal trend was evident for the other fungal spore types. An attempt has been made to forecast atmospheric fungal spore concentration for Bangalore City.

Keywords: Aero-mycoflora, Bangalore City, Fungal Spores, Cladosporium, Curvularia