The aim of these studies was to assess the effect of chemical conservants (FA = formic acid, PA = propionic acid, FPA+i = formic acid, propionic acid and ammonium ions) on the cell counts of yeasts and mould fungi in silage. The silage was prepared from corn (Zea mays L), cultivar Buran FAO (240). The effect of the applied conservants on silage aerobic stability was also assessed. The performed chemical analyses comprised the determination of: the content of dry matter (DM), lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), ethanol, water soluble sugars (WSC), crude protein (CP) and pH. The applied preparations were found to reduce the number of yeast and mould fungi cells in all the examined silages. The growth of fungi was inhibited most strongly by the FPA+i preparation (containing a mixture of formic and propionic acids and ammonium ions). The yeast cell counts dropped (P«0.05) from 8.50 107 CFU g-1 silage in the control (CCS = control corn silage) to 2.60 107 CFU g' in silage treated with FPA+i, whereas counts of the mould fungi cells - from 15.20 104 CFU g-1 silage in the control to 4.60 104 CFU g-1 in silage treated with FPA+i. The applied conservants increased (P«0.05) the content of DM from 255.00 g • kg 1 in control to 266.60 g • kg-1 with PA, WSC from 27.10 g • kg 'DM to 30.50 g • kg -1DM with FPA+i and ethanol from 9.10 g • kg 'DM to 11.21 g • kg -1DM with FPA+i in the silage. The additives decreased concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid and crude protein concentration after opening the barrels. The diversifying factors decreased the pH value in the examined silage. The experimental conservants were found to improve the aerobic stability of silages after 7 days of air exposure.
Cr(III) removal ability of indigenous soil fungus of Pakistan (i.e. Rhizopus arrhizus Fisher) was checked through batch trails. Experiments were performed by taking 0.1 g of powdered fungal biomass in 100 mL of metal solution kept at 150 rpm for 3 hours. Results of FTIR spectroscopy revealed that amine (-NH2) and hydroxyl (-OH) groups participated in Cr(III) binding with the fungal biomass. There was an inversely proportional relationship between adsorption efficiency and capacity on increasing initial metal concentration in the range of 20-100 mg/L. The adsorption capacity of fungal biomass was 43.47 mg/g as determined by Langmuir isotherm. High correlation coefficient (R2: 0.99) acquired through Langumir and Frendulich models adequately described the adsorption mechanism on fungal biomass. pH optimization trials in the range of 2-10 exhibited significantly greater adsorption efficiency of 75% at pH 4, while metal removal rate declined with increasing pH. Adsorption/adsorption trials with four acids indicted that maximum desorption of Cr(III) was found with HCl, followed by HNO3, CH3COOH, and H2SO4. Adsorption-based trials summarized that R. arrhizus is a potential and inexpensive biomaterial with viable application in the removal of Cr(III) from the aqueous solution.
A tracheotomy tube, as well as the stoma through which it is inserted into the patient’s throat, may represent a potential risk of fungal infections for patients suffering from larynx cancer. The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the hospital room environment on the fungal colonisation of tracheotomy tubes in the case of patients diagnosed with larynx cancer and operated on in the Laryngology ward. The mycological research was carried out in the rooms of the Laryngology ward, from which 105 air samples were collected. Twenty-two Portex and metal tracheostomy tubes collected from 13 patients diagnosed with larynx cancer. Fungi were cultured on 15 tracheostomy tubes: moulds were isolated from 3 of these tubes, and fungi belonging to the genus Candida from the remaining 12. The simultaneous occurrence of the same moulds in the air and on the tracheotomy tubes was observed only in one case (Aspergillus flavus). In conclusion, the same moulds observed in the air can sometimes also be found on the tracheotomy tubes used by patients diagnosed with larynx cancer. Yeast-like fungi are isolated from tracheotomy tubes much more frequently than moulds, and this requires further mycological research.
Within the framework of Project no. POIG.01.03.01-30/074/08 “Ionic liquids in innovative technologies connected with processing of lignocellulosic raw materials” the Wood Based Panels and Glues Department of the Wood Technology Institute in Poznan carried out research aiming at application of ionic liquids in particleboard technology. The objective of the research was application of [DDA][NO3] and [BA][NO3] ionic liquids in preservation technology of panels resistant to biotic factors. The method for application of ionic liquids to particleboards, the type and amount of chosen ionic liquids, as well as their influence on standard parameters of the panels were investigated. In the tests the amine resin available on the domestic market and particles obtained from debarked Scots pine chips were used. The results of the research demonstrated that ionic liquids worsened parameters of the panels, but improved their resistance to decay fungi.
Bioaerosols significantly influence indoor and outdoor air quality and may cause numerous allergies and diseases. Our study presents results of an evaluation of air quality in the forest recreation park in Myślęcinek. In the forest recreation park in Myślęcinek, microbiological air tests were conducted with the use of two methods of air sampling, namely the sedimentation method and the impaction method. The analysis indicate that mould fungi were the most abundant, constituting nearly 66% of all the microbial forms according to the sedimentation method, or 75% according to the impaction method. Heterotrophic bacteria were less numerous, making up to 32% of all microorganisms (the sedimentation method) or 24% (the impaction method). Actinomycetes and mannitol-positive staphylococci occurred in minimal concentrations. The highest count of microorganisms was recorded at Site V located on the verge of the forest near the tram terminus in Rekreacyjna Street, though staphylococci were the most abundant at Site I in the Polish Fauna Zoo Garden. The air was of high quality (containing the smallest number of microorganisms) at Site III located near Lake Myślęcińskie.
The results of the tests of the effectiveness of the action of new, not yet described in the literature group of biocidal ionic liquids were synthesised and presented. Those ionic liquids are derivatives of the leading structure, i.e. didecyldimethylammonium nitrate, and demonstrate strong action against mould fungi. Natural quaternary ammonium salts, mainly extracts from coconut and soybean, and from vegetable fats, were the basis for syntheses. Mycological tests were carried out on the wood of pine Pinus sylvestris L. (sapwood) in accordance with the method assumed binding for the assessment of biocide efficacy.