Korean Journal of Microbiology (미생물학회지)

The Microbiological Society of Korea (한국미생물학회)
권호 표지

Isolation and Characterization of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi in Indoor Environment of Elementary Schools

초등학교 실내환경에서 공기 중 세균과 진균의 분리 및 특성

  • Kim, Na-Yeong (Graduate School of Education University of Ulsan) ;
  • Kim, Young-Ran (Graduate School of Education University of Ulsan) ;
  • Kim, Min-Kyu (Department of Biological Science, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Cho, Du-Wan (Department of Biological Science, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Kim, Jong-Seol (Graduate School of Education University of Ulsan)
  • 김나영 (울산대학교 교육대학원) ;
  • 김영란 (울산대학교 교육대학원) ;
  • 김민규 (울산대학교 자연과학대학 생명과학부) ;
  • 조두완 (울산대학교 자연과학대학 생명과학부) ;
  • 김종설 (울산대학교 교육대학원)
  • Published : 2007.09.30
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Abstract

Indoor airborne bacterial and fungal concentrations were examined at classrooms and corridors of 3 elementary schools in Ulsan. Airborne microorganisms were collected with an impaction-type air sampler using plate count agar and dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar. During the semester, concentrations of bacteria ranged $168{\sim}3,887 MPN/m^3$ at classrooms and $168{\sim}6,339 MPN/m^3$ at corridors, while those of fungi ranged $34{\sim}389 MPN/m^3$ at classrooms and $91{\sim}507 MPN/m^3$ at corridors. The bacterial concentrations showed larger variations between situations and schools compared to those of fungi. When airborne bacteria were isolated and identified, 84% were observed as Gram-positive, and Micrococcus spp. was the most abundant group with 61% of tested isolates, followed by genus Staphylococcus with 10%. The Micrococcus spp. isolates, of which 75% were identified as M. luteus, appeared to be from human origins. The protective pigments and substantial cell wall of Micrococcus may provide selective advantage for their survival in the air. We also isolated and identified 15 genera of filamentous fungi. The most common culturable fungi were Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium, and these 3 genera were 69% of fungal isolates. Genus Stachybotrys, of which S. chartarum is a well known producer of many potent mycotoxins, was also detected from one of the schools. further systematic studies are necessary with an emphasis on species identification and mycotoxin production of isolated fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys.

울산 소재 초등학교 3곳의 교실과 복도에서, 배양가능한 공기중 세균과 진균의 농도를 조사하고, 이들 미생물을 분리한 후 동정하였다. 세균과 진균의 포집에는 충돌식 공기 채취기를 사용하였으며, 세균수와 진균수의 측정에는 각각 plate count agar와 dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar를 사용하였다. 학기 중 세균 농도는 교실에서 $168{\sim}3,887MPN/m^3$ 복도에서 $168{\sim}6,339MPN/m^3$의 범위였으며, 진균 농도는 교실에서 $34{\sim}389MPN/m^3$, 복도에서 $91{\sim}507MPN/m^3$의 범위로, 상황과 학교에 따른 측정값의 편차는 세균에서 진균보다 더 크게 나타났다. 분리한 세균의 84%는 그람양성으로 관찰되었는데, 전체 시험한 세균의 61%는 Micrococcus 속으로, 이중 75%는 M. luteus로 확인되었으며, Staphylococcus속은 전체의 10%수준이었다. Micrococcus 속의 주요 발생원은 사람으로 생각되며, 함유한 색소나 높은 세포벽 함량 등의 생리적 특징이 이들 세균의 공기중 생존력을 높이는 것으로 추측된다. 포집한 시료로부터 15속의 사상성 진균을 확인할 수 있었으며, Cladosporium 속, Aspergillus 속, Penicillium속 등이 분리한 진균의 69%를 차지하였다. 1개 학교의 교실에서는 Stachybotrys속이 검출되었는데, 이 속의 S. chartarum은 많은 진균독소를 생산하는 것으로 잘 알려져 있다. 독소생산과 관련이 깊은 Aspergillus 속, Penicillium속, Stachybotrys 속에 대한 종 수준에서의 동정, 분리한 진균의 독소생산능력, 공기중 진균독소 검출 및 진균 농도와의 상관관계 분석 등에 대한 보다 체계적인 연구가 필요하다고 판단된다.

Keywords

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