Citation:
Schale Frazer, Naresh Magan and David Aldred. The influence of water activity and temperature on germination, growth and sporulation of stachybotrys chartarum strains. Mycopathologia, Volume 172, Number 1, 2011, Pages 17-23.
Abstract:
The objectives were to determine theinfluence of water activity (aw, 0.997-0.92)
andtemperature (10-37C) and their interactions onconidial germination, mycelial
growth and sporulationof two strains of Stachybotrys chartarum in vitroon a
potato dextrose medium. Studies were carriedout by modifying the medium with
glycerol andeither spread plating with conidia to evaluate germinationand germ
tube extension or centrally inoculatingtreatment media for measuring
mycelialgrowth rates and harvesting whole colonies fordetermining sporulation.
Overall, germination ofconidia was significantly influenced by aw andtemperature
and was fastest at 0.997-0.98 aw between15 and 30C with complete germination
within 24 h.Germ tube extension was found to be most rapid atsimilar aw levels
and 25-30C. Mycelial growth ratesof both strains were optimal at 0.997 aw
between 25and 30C, with very little growth at 37C. Sporulationwas optimum at 30C
at 0.997 aw. However,under drier conditions, this was optimum at 25C.This shows
that there are differences in the ranges ofaw x temperature for germination and
growth and forsporulation. This may help in understanding the roleof this fungal
species in damp buildings and conditionsunder which immune-compromised
patientsmay be at risk when exposed to such contaminantsin the indoor air
environment.