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Treatment of fungal bioaerosols by a high-temperature, short-time process in a continuous-flow system

Jae Hee Jung1, Jung Eun Lee, Chang Ho Lee

  • 1Center for Environmental Technology Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|February 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

High-temperature, short-time (HTST) heating effectively controls airborne fungi (fungal bioaerosols). This method reduces fungal particle size and (1-->3)-beta-d-glucan levels, inactivating over 99% of common airborne fungi.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Aerosol science
  • Public health

Background:

  • Fungal bioaerosols pose risks to public health, causing allergies and opportunistic infections.
  • Concerns are rising regarding fungal bioaerosols' impact on allergies, hospital-acquired diseases, and plant pathology.
  • Current research predominantly focuses on microorganisms in liquid and solid phases, neglecting airborne forms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of thermal heating on fungal bioaerosols in a continuous-flow system.
  • To quantitatively assess the impact of high-temperature, short-time (HTST) processing on airborne fungal properties.
  • To explore novel methods for controlling harmful fungal bioaerosols.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental investigation of thermal heating effects on fungal bioaerosols.
  • Utilizing a continuous-flow environment for exposure.
  • Measuring changes in aerosol properties, including geometric mean diameter and (1-->3)-beta-d-glucan concentration.

Main Results:

  • Geometric mean diameter of fungal bioaerosols decreased with increasing temperature.
  • HTST processing significantly reduced (1-->3)-beta-d-glucan concentration.
  • Over 99% inactivation of Aspergillus versicolor and Cladosporium cladosporioides occurred at temperatures exceeding 350°C and 400°C, respectively, within 0.2 seconds.
  • High-temperature exposure altered the surface morphology of fungal bioaerosols.

Conclusions:

  • HTST heating is a promising method for controlling airborne fungal bioaerosols.
  • The study provides quantitative data on the efficacy of thermal inactivation for specific fungal species.
  • Thermal processing significantly impacts fungal bioaerosol characteristics and viability.

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