Identification of airborne Penicillium and their association with outdoor air quality in a middle Eastern city

Introduction

In light of the recent prevalence of Middle Eastern dust and poor air quality in Khorramabad city (Lorestan, Iran), this study aimed to investigate the presence of Penicillium species in the outdoor air. Outdoor airborne fungi exhibit significant diversity and include numerous genera, including Penicillium. Exposure to Penicillium can have adverse health effects on individuals.

Materials and methods

Sampling was carried out on both dusty and normal days over 12 months from 2018 to 2019. The samples underwent mycological analysis (direct and culture) and molecular analysis (PCR) using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Daily meteorological and air pollutant data were incorporated into the environmental assessment. Multivariate techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA) and self-organizing maps (SOM), were employed to analyze the data.

Results

Ten species of Penicillium fungi were identified. The average concentration of fungi on normal and dusty days was 59.87 CFU/m³ and 179.40 CFU/m³, respectively. The most commonly isolated fungi from the air under normal and dusty conditions were Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium brevicompactum, respectively. Notably, this study reported the first isolation of Talaromyces albobiverticillus in the outdoor air of Iran, specifically during dusty days in winter.

Conclusion

Considering the harmful effects of various Penicillium species on human health and their presence in the air of Khorramabad city, understanding the impact of meteorological parameters and air pollutants on these fungus’ survival and airborne transmission is essential. This knowledge is crucial for controlling and minimizing human exposure to airborne fungi.