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Dr Jackson Kung'u- Mold Specialist

Dr Jackson Kung'u- Mold Specialist

Helping People Resolve Mold Problems

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Dr. Jackson Kung’u (PhD)- Mold Specialist.
Phone: 905-290-9101

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Home | Fungi | Chaetomium

Chaetomium

Mold Growth, Moisture, and Your Home

Moisture is one of the key requirements for mold growth in homes. There are different types of mold. Some molds require relatively very low levels of available moisture for them to grow. These types of mold are referred to as xerophilic and are likely to be found in almost every home. The common xerophilic fungi belong to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Wallemia. Some other molds require wet or highly damp prolonged conditions. These are referred to as hydrophilic (“water loving”) fungi and their presence in homes is an indication of moisture damage. Examples of indicators of moisture damage include Chaetomium, Stachybotrys and Fusarium.

Mold growth: Penicillium on wood

Mold growth: Penicillium on wood

 

Mold Growth Control

The best way to control mold growth is to eliminate moisture. Strategies to control mold growth involve:

  • Reducing humidity. It’s recommended that relative humidity be maintained at or below 60%.
  • Inspect the building regularly for signs of mold, moisture, leaks, or spills and take appropriate action
  • Respond promptly when you see signs of moisture and/or mold, or when leaks or spills occur
  • Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces such as windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors by adding insulation
  • Frequently clean floor, carpet, and remove dust on surfaces. This reduces the amount of spores that would otherwise start new mold growth when moisture becomes available.

Filed Under: Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Fungi, Fusarium, Penicillium, Stachybotrys Tagged With: fungi, fungus, moisture, mold

Biodeterioration

Biodeterioration is a terminology used to describe any undesirable change in the properties of a material caused by the vital activities of organisms.

Fungal growth requires suitable temperature, moisture and air (oxygen). Fungi are heterotrophs that acquire nutrients by absorption. They secrete hydrolytic enzymes (exoenzymes) and acids to decompose complex molecules into simpler ones that can be absorbed and used as nutrients. Hence, they are believed to be potential contributors to biodeterioration of different kinds of materials containing cellulose, silicate mineral (mica and orthoclase), iron and magnesium-bearing minerals (biotite, olivine, pyroxene) etc.

Fungi cause biodeterioration to many materials including:

  • building materials
  • animal feeds
  • electrical equipment
  • food including meat, fruits and grains
  • fuel including jet fuel
  • glass and optical equipments
  • gunpowder
  • leather
  • monuments
  • paint
  • paper
  • tobacco etc.

 How are Fungi involved in biodeterioration?

The rate of biodeterioration depend on prevailing environmental conditions and the fungus involved. There are different mechanisms of biodegradation. These include microbial corrosion, hydrocarbon degradation and biodegradation of cellulose.  Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Trichoderma koningii, Trichothecium roseum and Eurotium chevalieri are cellulolytic fungi. Their efficiency to degradate cellulosic (cellulose containing) materials is due to their ability to produce large amounts of cellulase enzymes. 

Stachybotrys chartarum is a common fungus growing on paper (such as that covering gypsum wallboard) in damp buildings.

Some fungi cause blue stain and soft rot of wood, discolouration and loss of strength of cotton materials.  Many fungi spoil food in storage. Aspergillus flavus grows on peanuts and many other substrates, producing a mycotoxin called aflatoxin, which contaminate food and causes liver damage. Fusarium graminearum grows on feed corn and produces the  mycotoxin zearalenone that causes oestrogenic syndrome in animals.

Through the action of excreted oxalic and citric acids fungi can deteriorate marble, limestone, granite and basalt. Several species of fungi are involved in biodeterioration of stone monuments in different countries. Some of these fungi are Aspergillus elegans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, Alternaria sp, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Cunninghamella  echinulata, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium roseum,  Gliocladium virens, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium glabrum, Penicillium chrysogenum (=Penicillium notatum), Rhizopus arrhizus.

Biodeterioration is a problem worldwide. Several control measures have been applied to prevent the biodeterioration. These include use of fungicides, biological control, prevention of biodeterioration by control of environmental conditions, periodic cleaning of dirt, dust and spores, and use of radiation.

Filed Under: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Biodeterioration, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Cunninghamella, Curvularia, Fungi, Fusarium, Gliocladium, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Scopulariopsis, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma, Trichothecium Tagged With: Biodeterioration, control., fungi

Chaetomium

Chaetomium species are strong producers of the enzyme cellulase. They are, therefore, adapted to growing on cellulosic (cellulose containing) materials. They thrive particularly on paper, straw and cotton. Chaetomium species have caused problems in libraries, military equipment and food. Apart from causing spoilage of various materials, they are also producers of mycotoxins. Because of their strong ability to biodegrade organic materials, several strains are used in mold growth testing.

The species commonly encountered in chronically water-damaged buildings is Chaetomium globosum. Chaetomium globosum is also a common “weed” of mushroom beds, where it inhibits the growth of cultivated mushrooms.

Filed Under: Chaetomium, Fungi Tagged With: Chaetomium

Common Molds In Historic Buildings

Old, dusty and damp historic buildings provide perfect conditions for mold growth. In such buildings mold will be found growing on wall surfaces, the ceiling and on interior decorations.

Before any restoration work, it’s important to conduct a microbiological investigation to document the types of microorganisms present and their quantities. Some of the common molds in historic buildings include:

  1. Aspergillus niger
  2. Aspergillus flavus
  3. Aureobasidium pullulans
  4. Chaetomium globosum
  5. Cladosporium spp
  6. Fusarium spp
  7. Penicillium spp
  8. Stachybotrys spp
  9. Trichoderma spp

These molds are not only allergenic (trigger allergic reactions) but also potential producers of mycotoxins. For example, Aspergillus flavus is a producer of the highly carcinogenic (cancer causing) Aflatoxin. Restoration workers are, therefore, exposed to allergenic molds and also most likely to mold toxins.

Filed Under: Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Chaetomium, Fungi, Fusarium, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma Tagged With: historic buildings, mold, mold toxins

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Is Mold Making You Sick?

Is mold in your house making you sick?

Is mold in your house making you sick? This kind of a question would arise if someone suffers from persistent symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses, red eyes and skin rashes that seem to lessen or disappear when the person is not at home. The situation maybe complicated by the fact that only one member[Read More]

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