La contaminación microbiana del aire en dos depósitos del Archivo Nacional de la República de Cuba

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine the microbial concentration in the air at two repositories of the
National Archive of Cuba, perform the physiological characterization of the fungi isolated and briefly describe the pathogenic
characteristics of the microorganisms isolated. Petri plates exposed according to Omealiansky’s methodology were used for the
isolation. The cellulolytic activity and acid and pigment production in fungi were evaluated by means of a saline culture medium,
using as carbon sources a filter paper strip, crystalline cellulose and glucose (control). Elevated microbial concentrations
were obtained in both places, and particularly, the levels of bacteria were significantly high. Aspergillus genus prevailed at the
photographic library, while Cladosporium was the predominant one at repository 11. A. fumigatus and A. flavus species were
the most frequent within Aspergillus genus in both repositories. Most of the fungi isolated degraded cellulose and produced pigments
and acids. It was evidenced that the fungi isolated are able to produce diseases in persons. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus,
Corynebacterium, Bacillus and Streptomyces genera were isolated within Gram positive bacteria while Serratia, Enterobacter
and Hafnia were found among Gram negative bacteria. Of them, Hafnia may pose a significant risk for the health of the staff.
Though most of the bacterial genera isolated may affect the health of the staff, only Bacillus and Streptomyces can attack paper
under elevated humidity conditions.