Aerobiology is the study of movement, passive transport, dispersion and deposition of material and particles of biological origin (endotoxins, mycotoxins, cells and spores of bacteria, fungal spores, aerosols, algal filaments, protozoan cysts, pollen), as well as airborne microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and mites, released in the atmosphere both outdoors and indoors, and potentially dangerous to animal, plants and human systems [1–6]. Aeromycology is a subfield of aerobiology that investigates the dispersion of fungal spores and other fungal elements in both indoor and outdoor air. It studies the variations in their concentrations and the factors influencing these changes [7, 8]. Fungi are able to grow on almost all natural and synthetic materials, especially if they are hygroscopic or wet. Inorganic materials get frequently colonized as they absorb dust and serve as good growth substrates for Aspergillus fumigates and Aspergillus versicolor [ 9, 10, 11].  The distribution of these fungal spores with respect to their number and type in the environment vary with time of the day, weather, and also differs from place to place attributed to variation in weather conditions from season to season remarkably because of seasonal fluctuations and diversity of vegetation [ 12, 13]. Maharashtra state warehouse of Desaiganj Wadsa which is selected for this study located near Police station of Desaiganj wadsa and spread in 5 acers. It provides facility to stored agriculture product such as paddy, rice, wheat, grain. Peoples around the city of Desaiganj stored grain, paddy in the warehouse. Indoor environment of Warehouse is rich in organic dust and stored material which make potential hotpots for fungal growth and that can affect health of people and stored commodities.

      A A Energy Ltd. factory which is another site selected for the indoor aeromycological study because of it is a biomass power generation plant that uses agricultural residues such as rice husk as fuel. During the storage, handling, and combustion of such organic materials, large quantities of dust get released into the indoor environment. These conditions provide a suitable site to study indoor air quality, fungal spore growth, concentration and their possible impact on workers’ health and the surrounding environment. Coal is other raw material of the plant and coal trap the moisture, organic debris which is the micronutrients for the fungi.

     The present study was conducted to investigate the intramural aeromycoflora of the Maharashtra State Warehouse and A A Energy Ltd., both located in Desaiganj Wadsa, Gadchiroli District. Gadchiroli District experiences a tropical climate characterized by high humidity, particularly during the rainy season. Such environmental conditions favour the growth and spread of fungi. Therefore, this location is ideal for studying the concentration and proliferation of airborne fungal spores. The aim of the present study is to determine the intramural aeromycoflora, their concentration, and seasonal variation in the indoor environment. Intramural aeromycoflora refers to the study of fungi present in indoor environments. Many fungal species are responsible for the biodeterioration of stored materials and equipment, and they may also adversely affect human health [14].

Materials and Methods

 l. Study area – The Maharashtra State Warehouse (Lat. 20.6170690, Long. 79.965540) and A A Energy Ltd. factory (Lat. 20.6024020, Long. 79.960884) were selected as sampling sites for the present study. Within the Maharashtra State Warehouse, samples were collected from the Godown 1, Godown 2 and Godown 3. In A A Energy Ltd., sampling was conducted in the Visit Room, D.M. Plant, and Generator Room. Air samples were collected over a two-year period, from February 2023 to January 2025. For the present study following methodology were applied.

ll. Exposure Petri plate method – Czapek’s Dox Agar (CDA) was used in Petri plate method. This media prepared by using 12.24 gm of Czapek’s Dox Agar (CDA) suspended in 250ml distilled water with streptomycin. Heat to boiling to dissolved media completely. Sterilized by autoclave for 15min. and cool down. Mix well and poured into Petri plates. Petri plates containing sterilized CDA were exposed in the Warehouse and Energy source factory in three different sections for 5 to 10 min. by keeping them at the height of five feet from the ground level.  After that petri plates were sealed with cello tape and brought into laboratory. Petri plates incubated at room temperature for 3 to 8 days [15].

lll. Hi-media Air Sampler Method – In this method Rose Bengal strips were used in Hi Air Sampler (Mark ll), Hi Media Laboratories, India. Hi air sampler was moving in different sections of warehouse and Energy source factory for 5 to 10 min. After that Rose Bengal strips sealed, marked and brought into laboratory and incubated at room temperature [16].

     After 6 to 8 days fungal colonies were appeared on petri plates and rose Bengal strips. Number of colonies were counted. Fungus from the colony was picked up with needle and slide was prepared by using cotton blue and observed under microscope. The identification of spores caught was based on i. microscopic character, ii. Morphological character, iii. Rate of growth, colony colour, size and shape of colony and other diagnostic feature of the spores.

         In Hi air sampler method, the fungal colonies per unit volume of the air were then calculated as under, [17].

     The meteorological data was collected from District Agromet Unit of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Sonapur Gadchiroli. The District Agromet Unit (DAMU) for Gadchiroli is located at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Sonapur. This unit is a part of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) network through Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola and works in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide weather-based advisories to farmers.

Result and Discussion

Maharashtra State Warehouse

      Intramural aeromycological study in Maharashtra State Warehouse Desaiganj Wadsa district Gadchiroli of Maharashtra state was conducted from Feb. 2023 to Jan. 2025. For this study three sections of Warehouse were selected and air samples were collected for two years at an interval of 15 days. In Warehouse a total 3235 fungal colonies were recorded in two years by exposure petri plate method (Table 1 & 2). Hi Media Air Sampler method recorded total 17315 CFUs/m3 in two years of sampling at Warehouse (Table 3 & 4).

      In Warehouse, Seasonal variation showed more concentration of fungal spore in rainy season (41 to 44%) followed by winter season (33 to 35%) and minimum in summer season (21 to 23 %) by both the methods (Table 1, 2, 3 & 4) [18]. Exposure Petri plate method and Hi Air sampler method revealed the Monthly variation and recorded maximum fungal concentration in month of July and August was 12 to 14% followed by September, December, October, January, February, June, November, March, April, and minimum in month of May was 3 to 4% [19]. Out of three sections of Warehouse, godown 1 section recorded more concentration of fungal spores, followed by godown 2 and minimum in godown 3section by both the methods.

A A Energy Ltd.

     An intramural aeromycological study was conducted in A A Energy Ltd. at Desaiganj Wadsa, District Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, from February 2023 to January 2025. Three sections of the Energy source were selected for the study, and air samples were collected at 15 days intervals over a period of two years using exposure petriplate method and Hi air sampler method. During the entire study period, a total of 2919 fungal colonies were recorded by exposure petri plate method from the energy source environment (Table 5 and 6) and Using the Hi Air Sampler method, a total of 15,800 CFU/m³ were recorded during the two-years sampling period (Table 7 & 8).

     Seasonal variation revealed that the highest fungal spore concentration occurred during the rainy season (42–45%), followed by the winter season (31–35%), while the lowest concentration was observed during the summer season. Monthly variation in fungal concentration showed fluctuations throughout the year. The maximum concentration was recorded in the months of August and July (11–14%), followed by September, December, January, October, February, March, June, November, and April, whereas the minimum concentration was observed in the month of May (3 to 4 %) by both methods (Table 5, 6, 7 & 8), [20]. Among the three sections of the Energy source, the Visit room recorded the highest concentration of fungal spores, followed by the DM Plant, while the Generator room showed the minimum concentration by both sampling methods. In the study period from February 2023 to January 2025, there was a higher rainfall recorded in month of July and also high humidity in month of July and August. Temperature was maximum in month of May (Fig. 1 and 2).

CONCLUSION

      The present study revealed significant seasonal as well as monthly variations in the concentration of airborne fungal spores within the Warehouse and Energy source of Desaiganj Wadsa. The highest spore concentrations were recorded during the humid months, clearly indicating the strong influence of meteorological parameters on the proliferation and distribution of airborne fungi. Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and rainfall play a crucial role in fungal growth, as fungal spores generally require relative humidity above 75% and an optimum temperature range of 20 °C to 25 °C for their development. During the rainy season, particularly from July to September, increased rainfall and elevated humidity levels create favorable conditions for fungal multiplication, resulting in higher concentrations of airborne spores. Consequently, a marked increase in indoor aeromycospora was observed in the Warehouse and Energy source with peak spore concentrations occurring during the months of July and August. In the aeromycological study, higher fungal concentration observed in the warehouse than A A Energy source factory may be attributed to the availability of stored substratum such as grains, bags, packaging materials, and other organic substrates, which provide suitable nutrients for fungal growth. Warehouses generally maintain moderate temperature and higher relative humidity due to limited air circulation and moisture retention, creating favorable conditions for the proliferation and accumulation of airborne fungal spores. In addition, frequent human movement and handling of stored materials can resuspend settled spores into the air, thereby increasing fungal concentration, lower fungal concentration in the energy source area may be due to the continuous operation of machines and generators generates heat and vibrations that reduce spore viability and prevent their settlement, the detection of potentially harmful fungal species emphasizes the importance of regular aeromycological monitoring and the implementation of effective air quality management practices to minimize health risks and prevent biodeterioration within warehouse and energy source environments. Dominant genera found in this study are Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Cercospora, Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor, and Rhizopus.

 Acknowledgement

     I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Research Center Director/Principal Dr. S. M. Shekokar sir and my research supervisor Dr. S. G. Kukreja sir for supporting my research and creating supportive environment for my research work. Also, my research center Department of Botany Nevjabai Hitkarini College Bramhapuri to providing necessary equipment’s for my research. I wish to acknowledge the generous financial support of the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research Fellowship (Mahajyoti Nagpur), without their funding this research work not possible. I would also like to express my special thanks to my husband, my parents, and all my family members for their continuous support and understanding throughout the course of my research and the writing of this paper.

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