Monitoring of Air Microbial Contaminations in Different Bioenergy Facilities Using Cultural and Biomolecular Methods

Elisa Anedda, Giulia Carletto, Giorgio Gilli and Deborah Traversi
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Elisa Anedda: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
Giulia Carletto: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
Giorgio Gilli: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
Deborah Traversi: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Bioaerosol exposure linked to the bioenergy production from waste and its effects on human health in occupational and residential environments has rising interest nowadays. The health risk associated with the exposure includes mainly infective diseases, allergies, chronic bronchitis, and obstructive pulmonary disease. A risk assessment’s critical point is the bioaerosol quality and quantity characterization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of different methods for the analysis of bioaerosol sampled in bioenergy plants. This study involved six Italian plants for the treatment of biomasses and energy production. Bioaerosol cultural evaluation was performed, by Surface Air System (SAS) sampler, and DNA was extracted from PM0.49 samples and Low Melting Agar plates. qRT-PCR followed by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and band sequencings were performed. The cultural method is able to detect less than 15% of what is evaluable with bio-molecular methods. A low sample alfa-diversity and a high beta-biodiversity in relation to feedstock and process were observed. Sequencing showed microorganisms with a hygienic-sanitary relevance such as Arcobacter , Pseudomonas , Enterobacter , Klebsiella , Enterococcus and Bacillus . Integrated cultural and biomolecular methods can be more exhaustive to evaluate bioaerosol’s exposure in the occupational environment.

Keywords: bioaerosol; qRT-PCR; PCR-DGGE; microbial pollution; bioenergy production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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