Xerophilic and cellulolytic fungi in the indoor air of houses in Havana

Abstract

Fungi with xerophilic and cellulolytic enzymatic activities are abundant indoors and considered biodeteriorating agents. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of xerophilic and cellulolytic fungi in the indoor air of houses in Havana and to examine their relationship with environmental factors. Indoor air samples were collected from 42 houses using the sedimentation method in Petri dishes with malt and yeast extract agar with 50% sucrose and filter paper. Both fungal groups were successfully isolated from 41 of the sampled houses. In the majority of rooms, the concentrations recorded were below the threshold indicative of fungal contamination. The presence of these fungi was mainly related to humidity and ventilation problems and to the diversity of substrates present in the rooms. Aspergillus was found to be the predominant genus in the culture methods evaluated at both 28 and 37 °C. These findings enhance our understanding of the fungi with xerophilic and cellulolytic properties that inhabit indoor environments and serve as a warning system to their presence.