Airborne spores of Aspergillus species in cultural institutions at Havana University

Enumeration and identification of airborne viable fungi in different indoor environments at museums, libraries and one archive were carried out using an air slit sampler. The percentage Of fungal genera and Aspergillus spp. was studied. The sampling efficiency of two samplers, SAS and Slit sampler, was compared. The properties of four Culture media (Malt Extract Agar with peptone and dextrose, Malt Extract Agar with NaCl. Potato Dextrose Agar with NaCl and Sabouraud's agar) were compared. A total of 276 fungal strains were isolated. The most frequent genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Monilia. Aspergillus spp. represented between 29 and 68% of all fungi identified. The most common Aspergillus species found in these different environments were A. flavus Link (17-14%) and A. niger van Tieghem (7.7-54%). followed by A. terreus Thom (7-25%) and A. fumigatus Fresenius (7.7-29%). Selection of the most suitable media for the collection of airborne fungi is discussed.