Research and Development - Indoor Air Quality
Title: Identification of Stachybotrys chartarum Utilizing
Various Media and Two Temperature Settings
Authors: Richard A. Billups, Kristen S. Tilton,
Ph.D., and Paul S. Warden
ABSTRACT:
Cellulose Agar (CA) has been recommended as the choice media for
recovering Stachybotrys chartarum. Two isolates of S. chartarum
were analyzed on six agars at 251C and 341C. The agars utilized
were CA, CA with 2% NaNO3 (CA2%), Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Cornmeal
Agar (CMA), Cornmeal Agar with 2% NaNO3 (CMA2%), and Malt Extract
Agar (MEA). Only PDA at both temperatures exhibited black S. chartarum
colonies with dark brown reverse colors. Microscopic examination
revealed that dark brown/black spinose spores and verrucose dematiaceous
hyphae typical of S. chartarum were best demonstrated on PDA and
CMAs at early stages of growth and at both temperatures. We support
the use of PDA at 341C to reduce competition from non-thermotolerant
fungi. Color development was substantially faster on PDA than any
of the other media examined, allowing quicker recognition of macroscopic
morphology and enumeration of S. chartarum.
Presented at the 1st Annual NSF International Conference on Indoor
Air Health, May 1999, Denver, CO |
