Abstract

ANAYA, Matilde; CASTRO, Miguel; BORREGO, Sofía Flavia  and  COBO, Hilda Caridad. Influence of magnetic field on fungi distribution in the air of a closed local. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2015, vol.35, n.1, pp.39-44. ISSN 1315-2556.

Electric and magnetic fields can attract microorganisms; based on those premises the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of a magnetic field on the fungi distribution in the air of a closed environment. Uncovered Petri dishes with Malt Extract Agar were placed in a closed area where a magnetic field of 10 mT generated by a coil of 60 Hz / 220 V was applied. A multifactorial D-optimum design considering three elements (air exposure time, distance to the center of the coil and time of magnetic field application) to determine the amount of filamentous fungi, expressed as the number of colony forming units by cubic meter of air, according to the sedimentation method proposed by Omeliansky. A quadratic model of the evaluated ranges was obtained, which indicated that the treatment applied showed significant influence on fungal spore distribution demonstrated by the increased fungal count which growth was stimulated by the treatment applied when compared to the controls. The largest stimulant effect was observed at 1 m of distance from the coil (0.4 mT) and after 2 h of exposure, conditions that permitted the growth of fungal concentrations that could be dangerous for human health according to the World Health Organization.

Keywords : non-ionizing radiations; airborne fungal of indoor environment; method of sedimentation; filamentous fungi.

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