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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Collection and Extraction of Occupational Air Samples for Analysis of Fungal DNA
Published on: May 2, 2018
Biosensors for detection of airborne pathogenic fungal spores: a review
Roomia Memon1, Javed H Niazi1, Anjum Qureshi1
1Sabanci University, SUNUM Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Orta Mah. Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey. anjum@sabanciuniv.edu.
Abstract:
The excessive presence of airborne fungal spores presents major concerns with potential adverse impacts on public health and food safety. These spores are recognized as pathogens and allergens prevalent in both outdoor and indoor environments, particularly in public spaces such as hospitals, schools, offices and hotels. Indoor environments pose a heightened risk of pulmonary diseases due to continuous exposure to airborne fungal spore particles through constant inhalation, especially in those individuals with weakened immunity and immunocompromised conditions. Detection methods for airborne fungal spores are often expensive, time-consuming, and lack sensitivity, making them unsuitable for indoor/outdoor monitoring. However, the emergence of micro-nano biosensor systems offers promising solutions with miniaturized designs, nanomaterial integration, and microfluidic systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in bio-nano-sensor system technology for detecting airborne fungal spores, while also discussing future trends in biosensor device development aimed at achieving rapid and selective identification of pathogenic airborne fungi.
Insights
Airborne fungal spores pose health risks. Micro-nano biosensor systems offer a promising solution for rapid and sensitive detection of these airborne pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Public Health
Background:
- Airborne fungal spores are prevalent pathogens and allergens in indoor and outdoor environments, posing risks to public health and food safety.
- Continuous inhalation of airborne fungal spores in indoor settings, especially for immunocompromised individuals, heightens the risk of pulmonary diseases.
- Current detection methods for airborne fungal spores are often costly, time-consuming, and lack the sensitivity required for effective monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of recent advancements in bio-nano-sensor systems for detecting airborne fungal spores.
- To discuss the potential of micro-nano biosensor technology in addressing the limitations of conventional detection methods.
- To explore future trends in biosensor development for rapid and selective identification of pathogenic airborne fungi.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on micro-nano biosensor systems for airborne fungal spore detection.
- Analysis of technological advancements including miniaturization, nanomaterial integration, and microfluidic systems.
- Discussion of the capabilities and limitations of current and emerging biosensor technologies.
Main Results:
- Micro-nano biosensor systems demonstrate potential for miniaturized, integrated, and sensitive detection of airborne fungal spores.
- These advanced systems offer a promising alternative to conventional methods, enabling more effective indoor/outdoor monitoring.
- Emerging trends focus on enhancing selectivity and speed for identifying pathogenic airborne fungi.
Conclusions:
- Bio-nano-sensor systems represent a significant advancement in the detection of airborne fungal spores.
- These technologies are crucial for improving public health monitoring and food safety protocols.
- Continued development in biosensor technology is essential for rapid, selective, and on-site identification of airborne fungal threats.
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