The Basic Introduction to Air Microbiology or Aerobiology

1. AIR MICROBIOLOGY
Kaviyalakshmi M
Assistant Professor
1

2. •Air microbiology is the study of suspended microorganisms in the air.
Also known as aero microbiology.
•The study of microbes and their airborne spores that are invisible to the
naked eye.
•Aero-spoliation, airborne transmission, and biological materials research.
•In addition, respiratory illnesses are studied.
•Important to the subject of aero-microbiology is the formation of aerosols.
•Bioaerosols are aerosolized microorganisms.
INTRODUCTION

3. •Microorganisms often found in the atmosphere between
300 and 10,000 feet above the surface.
•There are much fewer microorganisms in the atmosphere
than in seas and soil.
•These bacteria have the potential to move large distances
with the aid of wind and precipitation, hence increasing the
prevalence of infectious diseases they cause.
INTRODUCTION

4. •Important microorganism-affecting gases include hydrogen sulphide,
sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, chlorine, hydrogen fluoride, ozone,
and others.
•Bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae, pteridophyte spores, pollen
grains, micro insects, and viruses are microbiological forms.
In the 1930s, aero-microbiology was employed to describe airborne
spores (e.g. fungi and other microorganisms ).
INTRODUCTION

5. •In 1951, the phrase was expanded to cover
insect population dispersal, fungal spores,
bacteria, and viruses.
•In 1964, the term covered the study of
biologically significant airborne particles.
INTRODUCTION

6. INDOOR AIR MICROBIOLOGY
• It deals with microorganisms present in air in an indoor environment.
• They are the microorganisms which are responsible for biodeterioration of storage
materials, equipment, library materials and archives.
• Microbes can survive for extended period in indoors as they have relatively less
exposure to radiations.
• It involves home and work place environments in which air borne microbes create
major public health concerns.
• Microbes found in different sites: Aeromicrospora of pharmacy,
Aeromicroflora of hospitals, Houses Aeromicroflora of storage materials.
• Indoor air contains more disease causing agents that has higher chances of
infections than outdoor air especially in large gatherings like schools and theaters.
The commonest genera of fungi in indoor air are Penicillium, Aspergillus.
• The commonest genera of bacteria found in indoor air are Staphylococci, Bacillus
and Clostridium.

7. Aero-microspora of Pharmacy
•The preparation of Ayurvedic medications occurs in a pharmacy.
Sharma and Navneet (1996) documented the presence of aerofungi
in the fermentation unit of the Gurukul Kangri Pharmacy in
Hardwar.
•They isolated fungus between February and March of 1994.
•Temperature and relative humidity were environmental elements
that influenced their incidence.
•In the diurnal cycle, fungi exhibited a preference for the evening.
•The main species were Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria
sp., Penicillium cyclopium, Epicoccum nigrum, etc.

8. Aero-microflora of Hospitals
•A hospital is a significant indoor setting for the transmission of airborne diseases. It
works as a reservoir for diseases that are then transmitted to other individuals, such
as patients, hospital staff, visitors, etc.
•In turn, it is transmitted to patients.
•Even coughing and sneezing contribute to the spread of infectious germs and
viruses.
•The infections transferred by the hospital are Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. Staphylococcus aureus, influenza virus, Aspergillus flavus, A.
fumigatus, Candida albicans, etc.
•Aspergillus species are not natural human flora, although they frequently cause lung
infections in hospital settings.
•C. albicans-caused candidiasis is the most prevalent type of hospital infection. C.
albicans typically contaminates hospital wards through direct finger contact.
•In the operating room, squames from the skin of patients spread harmful bacteria.
There are numerous dangerous microorganisms in squames that are communicated
to patients.

9. Other Houses
•Indoor air always contains spores. Even in clean environments,
approximately 25 spores/m3 have been detected.
•In homes equipped with air conditioners and coolers (humidifiers).
•Humidity and low temperature (about 25 °C) produce a favourable
environment for the proliferation and dissemination of microorganisms,
which increases the likelihood of airborne microorganisms.
•In general, fungus (such as Aspergillus, Geotrichium, Penicillium,
Phialophora, etc.), yeasts, bacteria, etc. colonise cold mist humidifiers.
•In addition, insects serve as vectors for human infections and deposit their
eggs in stagnant water.

10. Library
• There are thousands to millions of valuable,
common and rare, printed and handwritten volumes
in a library. The primary component of paper is
cellulose.
• Therefore, microbes that breakdown cellulose
colonise and disintegrate paper.
• Alternaria, Aspergillus, Curvularia, Bispora,
Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium,
Helminthosporium, Periconia, Nigrospora,
Rhizopus, Stemphilum, Trichoderma, etc. are
common cellulose-degrading fungus.
• These fungi decompose cellulose at a quicker pace
when exposed to high humidity and low
temperature. In addition, despite the creation of a
large quantity of enzymes, the degradation of rexin
and leather has been seen to be minimal.
Wall Paintings
• Wall paintings are the cultural heritage of a
country’s region. The wall murals at Ajanta and
Ellora caves, which are of international renown,
have revealed signs of biodeterioration.
• Tilak and Kulkarni (1972) investigated cave
aerospora for the first time.
• Tilak (1972) identified fungal spores from Ajanta
and Ellora paintings and caves. Almost certainly,
aerofungi have degraded the wall paintings.
• Bat faeces likely serves as a substrate for the
growth of aerofungi, which is supported by bat
faeces. Moreover, meteorological conditions
contribute to the growth and biodeterioration of
wall murals.
Aero-microflora of Storage Materials
A number of important goods are held in houses, and staff members are assigned to
protect them. However, aeromicroflora degrade these substances. Several instances
are provided below:

11. Outdoor air microbiology
•Outside air outdoor aero microbiology refers to the study of air
in the atmosphere that is found outside of buildings.
•In an outdoor or extramural setting, the movement of bio
aerosols is governed by the vastness of space and the existence of
air turbulence.
•Depending on human population density, the number and type of
microorganisms may vary from place to location.
•Among the microorganisms are algae, protozoa, yeasts, and
moulds.
•Mold spore are prominent, e.g clasdosporium.
•Species of bacteria are either spore-forming or non-spore-
forming.

12. •Fungi dominate the microflora of outdoor air.
•The two most prevalent fungal genera are cladosporiul and
sporobolomyces.
•Aspergillus, Alternaria, Phytophthora, and Erysiphe are other
aerosals produced by fungi.
•Also contains besidispores, ascopres of yeast, mycelium
pieces, and mould canidia.
•Bacillus and clostridium, sarcina, mirococcus, coryneb
acterium, and Achromobacter are the bacterial genera.

13. THANK YOU