Mold Growth Research Articles

Natural weathering effects on the surface morphological and physicochemical properties of radiation curable coatings in tropical climate

The purpose of this research is to discover the effects of natural weathering on palm oil-based and petrochemical-based film coatings. The film coatings were prepared using the radiation curing approach via cross-linking. Three palm oil-based resins with TiO2 nanoparticle loading were developed: EPOLA, EPOLA-OPV, and POBUA. The petrochemical-based coatings were also developed to compare the performance of natural and synthetic coatings. The coatings were exposed to natural weathering for up to 60 days at varied angles of 0°, 45°, and 90°. The effect of natural weathering conditions on the surface morphological, physiochemical, and also flexural characteristics of coatings, as well as the discoloration visual inspection and the growth of mould or fungus on the tested specimen, was studied. The results showed that natural weathering exposure induced severe discoloration and deterioration of the polymer network structure of the coatings due to photo-oxidation reaction and the presence of fungi. Overall, palm oil-based coatings deteriorate slower than petroleum-based coatings, especially at a 90° angle. This study indicated that bioresources-based palm oil has a significant potential for interior wood varnish applications due to its superior qualities over synthetic-based coatings.

Serum-Derived Bovine Immunoglobulin/Protein Isolate Bind Aflatoxins B2 and G1

Aflatoxins are highly toxic biproducts of mold growth which commonly contaminate agricultural commodities, including food and feed. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately half of people worldwide are chronically exposed to aflatoxins through their regular food consumption. The gut serves as both the initial target of toxicity and the location of absorption, leading to systemic exposure. Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate (SBI) is a purified protein powder enriched in immunoglobulins IgG (55%), IgM (5%), and IgA (1%) used to help manage gut enteropathy. SBI binds a variety of pro-inflammatory antigens and decreases inflammatory markers in the gut by neutralizing or preventing translocation of antigen across the intestinal barrier. The objective of this study is to determine if the immunoglobulins in SBI bind to aflatoxins. Due to the protective effects of SBI, we hypothesize SBI and a highly purified immunoglobulin fraction (>95%), b ovine gamma globulin (BGG), can bind to aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) and aflatoxin G1 (AFG1). Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to quantify the binding of aflatoxins to SBI. Previous work has shown the binding of aflatoxins to tryptophan containing proteins, such as bovine serum albumin, reduces the fluorescence of the protein’s tryptophan residue. The same principle works for SBI, upon excitation at 280 nm, the emission spectra of SBI exhibits a peak at 370 nm which is decreased upon aflatoxin binding. Either SBI (5 μM) or BGG (5 μM) was titrated with an increasing concentration of either AFB2 or AFG1 (0-40 μM). The protein solution was excited at 280 nm and the emission spectra was recorded at 350-450 nm with quenching quantified at 370 nm. The fluorescence from SBI or BGG was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner as the concentration of AFB2 or AFG1 increased. The quenching constant (Ksv) was calculated using the Stern-Volmer equation, while a derivative from the equation was used to calculate the binding constant (Kb). All protein-aflatoxin pairs tested showed binding with Ksv values ranging from 0.9–1.2 x 104 M−1 (R2=0.99) and Kb values ranging from 2.5 x 104 to 4.21 x 105, with SBI-AFB2 exhibiting the tightest binding. Further, the Gibbs free energy for each pair was -6.0 to -7.7 kcal/mol, indicating favorable binding. The quenching of both protein solutions indicates structural and conformational changes in the native structures of both SBI and BGG, likely caused by the interaction of the immunoglobulins with the aflatoxin. The quenching of BGG suggests immunoglobulins in SBI play a significant role for the observed phenomenon, though other serum proteins within SBI could contribute to the quenched fluorescence. Future work will examine if the binding of the aflatoxins by SBI can prevent or mitigate aflatoxin toxicity in the gut. Proliant Health and Biologicals. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Straw Bale Usage as Building Material

This study thoroughly investigates the use of straw bales as an alternative building material, capitalizing on their natural, eco-friendly, practical, and economical properties. Straw, utilized in construction for centuries, offers environmental and structural benefits, adjusting with sustainability practices. The global adoption of straw bale building emphasizes its advantages in thermal insulation, durability, fire resistance, low embodied energy, and sound insulation. While recognizing these benefits, the study addresses difficulties in moisture management and mold growth, stressing the need for careful consideration during implementation. Thus, this paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on straw bale building, offering valuable insights and recommendations for architects seeking sustainable alternatives in the construction industry. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of continuous research and innovation to overcome limitations and enhance the efficiency of straw bale architecture. By fostering a deeper understanding of the problems and opportunities associated with this eco-friendly building method, this paper tries to encourage the building industry to embrace sustainable practices and contribute to a greener future.

LEVELS OF CARBOHYDRATES IN SHORT-LIVED STRAIN OF Drosophila melanogaster

Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of key energetic substrates such as glucose, fructose, and trehalose, in control and artificially selected flies shown to have shorter lifespan. Methods. For all experiments flies were maintained on standard yeast-sucrose nutrient medium consisted of 5% sucrose, 5% yeast, 1% agar and 0.18% nipagin as mold growth inhibitor. Experimental line of flies was selected on high-protein diet and previously showed short lifespan. Newly enclosed flies were kept two days for mating and used for measurement of feeding behavior and fecundity. Some flies were frozen at -80 °C for further analysis. Concentrations of glucose, fructose and trehalose were measured by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry using described protocol and expressed per wet weight. Results. Amount of glucose was significantly higher in experimental flies of both sexes. Male flies had about 70% more free glucose and females for about 45%. These differences were accompanied with higher amounts of trehalose that consist of two molecules of glucose and is a form of glucose storage in Drosophila. Trehalose content in experimental males was 2-fold higher, while in females it was higher for about 1.8-fold. Fructose content was also higher in experimental flies. This carbohydrate is metabolized through glycolysis, providing energy in the form of ATP. Beyond energy production, fructose plays a role in supporting reproductive processes such as oogenesis in females, though measure of fecundity showed no difference. Conclusions. Our results show that despite similar consumption of food and reproduction offspring of artificially selected flies have shorter lifespan. However, this effect can be explained by lower energetic status while flies store more energetic substrates such as glucose, fructose and trehalose.

Pemeriksaan Angka Kapang Khamir Pada Pakaian Bekas Di Kota Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia

Used clothing is an item that is worn by humans to cover their bodies but has been worn previously by other people and is a potential source of skin disease due to the growth of yeast or mold. This research aims to determine the number of yeast molds on used clothes sold in the city of Mataram. This research is descriptive exploratory in nature, while the used clothing in the study consisted of 11 samples which came from used clothing sold at Bertais market and Karang Sukun market. Based on the research results, it was found that the number of yeast mold colonies on used clothes from the Bertais market in sample 1 was 624,175 cfu/ml, in sample 2 colonies was 6,583,460 cfu/ml, in sample 3 colonies it was found to be 5,413,860 cfu/ml, in sample 4 it was obtained the number of colonies was 776,450 cfu/ml, and in sample 5 the number of colonies was 7,336,260 cfu/ml. Contamination of the number of yeast mold colonies found in used clothing at the Bertais market was less than the yeast mold contamination of clothing at the Karang Sukung market with the number of colonies in sample 1 being 27,244,700 cfu/ml, the colony in sample 2 was 4,688,888 cfu/ml, the number of colonies in sample 1 was 27,244,700 cfu/ml, the colony in sample 2 was 4,688,888 cfu/ml, sample 3 obtained as much as 5,989,880 cfu/ml, colony sample 4 obtained as much as 8,807,140 cfu/ml, colony sample 5 obtained as much as 1,634,333 cfu/ml, and colony sample 6 obtained as much as 5,545,640 cfu/ml.

Isolation, Characterization, and Biopreservation of Lactobacillus brevis DN-1 to Inhibit Mold and Remove Aflatoxin B1 in Peanut and Sunflower Cakes

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic mycotoxin and is widespread in moldy feed. The use of biological removal methods to reduce AFB1 has become a research hotspot. This study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) capable of removing AFB1 from moldy feeds and assessed the removal capacity under various environmental conditions. A strain named Lactobacillus brevis DN-1 was isolated from feed samples and showed 71.38% AFB1 percent removal. Furthermore, DN-1 showed good antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus BNCC336156 and Aspergillus parasiticus BNCC335939. The optimum growth temperature and pH of DN-1 were 37 °C and 6.0, respectively, and DN-1 grew well in the concentration range of 0–20 µg/L AFB1. Under a temperature of 20–40 °C, pH of 3.0–9.0, and anaerobic conditions, the percent removal of AFB1 was more than 60%. An analysis of the different components of DN-1 showed that cell wall adsorption was the main removal method and suggested the pathway for AFB1 removal by LAB. In addition, strain DN-1 was used as a biological preservative in artificially contaminated peanut and sunflower cakes, which significantly inhibited the growth of mold and production of AFB1. In brief, this study highlights the potential use of DN-1 as a preventive agent against aflatoxicosis via strong removal capability in the application of fermented feed or food.

Short-Chain Carboxylates Facilitate the Counting of Yeasts in Sub-High Temperature Daqu.

Sub-high temperature Daqu, a traditional solid fermenting agent used in Chinese strong-aroma Baijiu production, is abundant in diverse microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, molds, and actinomycetes. Among these, yeasts are pivotal for ethanol production and flavor formation. However, counting yeasts in Daqu is challenging due to interference from molds and bacteria. Antibiotics are employed to inhibit bacterial growth, but there is no practical way to suppress molds without affecting the growth of yeasts. In this study, short-chain carboxylates (C1-C6) were added to the culture medium at various pH conditions to investigate their effects on the growth of molds and yeasts. The results demonstrated distinct inhibitory effects of the short-chain carboxylates, depending on both pH and concentration. Several tested short-chain carboxylates effectively suppressed mold growth on agar plates while leaving yeast growth unaffected. This suggests a simple and feasible method for enhancing the efficiency of yeast isolation and counting in Daqu. Such an approach is valuable for studying yeasts in diverse and complex habitats.

Comparative Evaluation of Health-Promoting Compounds, Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Based Mahewu Produced by Different Traditional Brewers in Thohoyandou, South Africa

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench) is an emerging reliable alternative for mahewu production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health-promoting compounds, physicochemical and microbiological properties of sorghum-based mahewu produced by different traditional brewers in Thohoyandou, South Africa. A total of 18 mahewu samples produced by six traditional brewers (TB1–TB6) were collected and compared for antioxidant, physicochemical, and microbiological properties. Commercial sorghum mahewu was used as a control sample. The total phenolic content of the mahewu samples varied from 27.37 to 65.89 GAE /g, with commercial mahewu having a lower value. The flavonoid content ranged from 0.18 to 0.30 GAE/g, and commercial mahewu had a higher value. The DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP of mahewu samples ranged from 44.62% to 49% and 1.47 to 2.36 mg GAE/g, respectively. Commercial mahewu had a higher DPPH value but a lower FRAP value. The pH of mahewu varied significantly, ranging from 3.38 to 3.66, but was within the acceptable range. The °Brix values varied from 9.68 to 17.49, with traditional mahewu samples having higher values than commercial mahewu. Total titratable acidity ranged from 0.63 to 1.17%. The viscosity ranged from 444.33 to 1297.00 cP, with commercial mahewu having a higher value. There was a significant variation in the color of the mahewu samples with respect to L*, a*, b*, C, Hue, and ΔΕ. The growth of yeasts and molds varied from 7.95 log10 to 8.99 log10 (cfu/mL) in traditional mahewu samples, and coliforms ranged from 3.68 to 5.96 log10 (cfu/mL) and were not isolated in commercial mahewu. The total plate count ranged from 7.914 to 8.978 log10 (cfu/mL). The microbiological results show that traditional brewers are meeting the legal limit and can increase their products for commercialization.

Water Proofing System in Concrete Structures

Water proof structure is a design concept that aims to repel water and prevent any moisture from seeping into the materials used in construction. This type of structure is particularly important in areas prone to heavy rainfall or flooding, as it helps maintain the integrity and durability of the building. Water proof concrete is formulated with additives and admixtures that create a barrier against water infiltration, making it ideal for areas prone to high levels of humidity or moisture. By incorporating this technology into construction projects, builders can ensure that their structures remain protected from the damaging effects of moisture, such as mold growth, deterioration of building materials, and potential structural issues. The use of abstract damp proof concrete represents a forward-thinking approach to building design and can greatly enhance the durability and longevity of a building.Crystalline admix water proofing with water stops, water proofing with Atactic Polypropylene membrane, and injection are the water proofing systems most commonly used in basements. Using non-shrinking cementitious grout for waterproofing, concrete must have crystalline admixtures made of cementitious powder and water. For toilets in non-sunken places, water proofing with an elastomeric cementitious coating is used. In sunken areas, brick jelly cement concrete with inherent water proofing compound is used.In this paper it deals with the different types of water proofing system..

Development of Antifungal Packaging From Low‐Density Polyethylene With Essential Oil of Oregano and Potassium Sorbate

ABSTRACTAntimicrobial low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) films were developed by adding 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0% (w/w) of Mexican oregano essential oil (OEO) or potassium sorbate (PS) as a positive antifungal control to inhibit the growth of Penicillium expansum, Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus niger in vitro. Three methods of adding OEO in LDPE were evaluated; the best OEO yield in film was achieved when OEO was incorporated after laminating (88%); otherwise, when added into cool‐melting resin, OEO lost up to 91.5% from LDPE and completely volatilized (>99%) when combined with the resin before melting. PS yields in LDPE film were > 88% when incorporated into cool‐melted resin. Antimicrobial films with 2.5% or 5.0% (w/w) OEO or PS delayed the growth of P. expansum and P. citrinum for up to 4–5 days, and for A. niger, only films with 5.0% of OEO retarded its growth for 5 days. The modified Gompertz model was used to describe mould growth response, obtaining the parameters A (maximum growth), μm (maximum growth rate) and λ (lag phase), which correctly fit the data. P. citrinum was the most sensitive mould, and A. niger was the most resistant to the tested antimicrobials. The addition of antimicrobial agents significantly (p < 0.05) impacted the physical and mechanical properties of the LDPE films, wherein thickness and puncture strength were increased, and the colour changed (reducing the transparency and promoting the yellowness). In contrast, the water vapour transmission rate was dropped only by incorporating PS.

Moisture and mould growth risk of cross-laminated timber basement walls: Laboratory and field investigation

Reinforced concrete is a commonly used material for constructing basements in low-rise buildings or residential houses in Canada, and as the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) advances, the door to think of an alternative basement material to offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with reinforced concrete is open. However, the evaluation of CLT durability in below-grade environments, specifically concerning moisture and mould development, remains an unexplored field in research. Hence, this paper aims to analyze CLT's moisture response and mould growth risk in below-grade environments using field and laboratory experiments. A laboratory experiment was carried out to test a waterproofing membrane solution selected to compose the wall assembly in the field experiment. A large-scale experimental CLT basement was built at a cohesive soil site in Edmonton, Canada. The field experiment involved monitoring the relative humidity, temperature, and soil volumetric water content of the CLT panels, which measure 3 m by 6 m in plan and 2 m deep. Data was collected for an extended period from June 2022 to July 2023. The VVT model, developed by Hukka and Viitanen (1999) and updated by Viitanen et al., 2011 to estimate the mould growth level, was used to predict the risk of mould growth. The laboratory experiment showed that the waterproofing membrane is suitable for protection against moisture in a still-water setup. Field experiment results suggested that the primary moisture source was below the basement floor when the floor was finished inadequately. The moisture content of CLT walls was significantly increased by floor flooding and decreased by heating the basement interior. The acceptable mould index of three was surpassed during periods of abundant water below the basement floor due to flood events, showing that the CLT panels were at risk of mould growth development.

Indoor Mold.

According to self-reported frequencies, every fifth or sixth dwelling in Germany is affected by dampness and/or mold. This carries a potential risk to health. This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective literature search and inquiry in the GENESIS database, on the AWMF guideline on the medical clinical diagnosis of indoor mold exposure, as updated in 2023, and on the relevant contents of other current guidelines. Based on this research, we present an algorithm for the evaluation of health problems that may be due to mold in indoor environments. A rational diagnostic work-up begins with history-taking and physical examination, with attention to risk factors-above all, immune compromise and atopy. If there is evidence of atopy, targeted allergy diagnostics should be performed, consisting of a skin prick test and/or measurement of specific IgE antibodies, supplemented whenever indicated by provocative testing and cellular test systems. If the patient's immune response is compromised, the immediate cessation of mold exposure has absolute priority. Any suspected invasive fungal infection should be evaluated with radiological, microbiological, serological, and immunological testing. Indoor measurements of mold fungi, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), and/or mycotoxins are generally not indicated as part of the medical evaluation; nor are blood or urine tests for particular mold components or metabolites. Mold in indoor environments should be dealt with by rapid exposure elimination for patients at risk, the rational diagnostic evaluation of any symptoms and signs of disease, and patient education about the possibilities and limitations of diagnostic testing and the generally limited utility of measurements in the affected interior spaces.

Ten questions concerning First Nations on-reserve housing in Canada

Indigenous Peoples are the original inhabitants of Turtle Island. In Canada, three distinct groups of Indigenous Peoples are formally recognized: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Roughly 40 % of First Nations people with Registered or Treaty Indian status live on-reserve. Relative to the general Canadian population, First Nations living on-reserve are more likely to live in inadequate housing conditions that include significantly higher rates of mold growth and overcrowding, with a higher proportion of existing on-reserve housing stock in need of major repairs. Efforts to improve on-reserve housing conditions must be understood in the context of colonial policies, which have systematically prevented First Nations from obtaining safe, secure, and sustainable housing. This paper aims to describe the range of challenges, concerns, and innovative solutions associated with First Nations on-reserve housing. Ten questions and answers have been presented to characterize the current state of First Nations on-reserve housing in relation to the rest of the Canadian housing stock, including an in-depth comparison of the differences between on-reserve and off-reserve housing. Known factors that result in inadequate on-reserve housing are discussed, as well as a review of various operational and construction-related challenges faced on-reserve, such as community remoteness, a lack of available skilled trades, and mold and moisture issues. Human health and well-being are also discussed as a key outcome of poor housing quality, looking at both physical and mental health in communities, with special attention to the indoor air quality impacts of overcrowding and the presence of mold.

Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of New Lavandula angustifolia Ecotypes.

The purpose of this study was to characterize ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers of two ecotypes (PL-intended for industrial plantations and KC-intended for cut flowers) of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. The plant was cultivated in 2019 in southern Poland as part of a long-term research plan to develop new varieties resistant to difficult environmental conditions. The collected leaves and flowers were used to prepare ethanol extracts, which were then analyzed in terms of phytochemical composition and antioxidant, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties. Using UPLC techniques, 22 compounds belonging to phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified. UPLC test results indicated that ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers differ in phytochemical composition. Lower amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in leaf extracts than in flower extracts. The predominant substances in the flower extracts were rosmarinic acid (829.68-1229.33 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside III (810.97-980.55 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside II (789.30-885.06 µg/g). Ferulic acid glucoside II (3981.95-6561.19 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside I (2349.46-5503.81 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside III (1303.84-2774.17 µg/g) contained the highest amounts in the ethanol extracts of the leaves. The following substances were present in the extracts in trace amounts or at low levels: apigenin, kaempferol, and caftaric acid. Leaf extracts of the PL ecotype quantitatively (µg/g) contained more phytochemicals than leaf extracts of the KC ecotype. The results obtained in this study indicate that antioxidant activity depends on the ecotype. Extracts from the PL ecotype have a better ability to eliminate free radicals than extracts from the KC ecotype. At the same time, it was found that the antioxidant activity (total phenolic content, ABTS•+, DPPH•, and FRAP) of PL ecotype leaf extracts was higher (24.49, 177.75, 164.88, and 89.10 μmol (TE)/g) than that determined in flower extracts (15.84, 125.05, 82.35, and 54.64 μmol (TE)/g). The test results confirmed that leaf and flower extracts, even at low concentrations (0.313-0.63%), significantly inhibit the growth of selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and Candida yeasts. Inhibition of mold growth was observed at a dose extract of at least 1 mL/100 mL.

In Pursuit of Optimal Quality: Cultivar-Specific Drying Approaches for Medicinal Cannabis.

A limited number of studies have examined how drying conditions affect the cannabinoid and terpene content in cannabis inflorescences. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of controlled atmosphere drying chambers for drying medicinal cannabis inflorescence. Controlled atmosphere drying chambers were found to reduce the drying and curing time by at least 60% compared to traditional drying methods, while preserving the volatile terpene content. On the other hand, inflorescences subjected to traditional drying were highly infested by Alternaria alternata and also revealed low infestation of Botrytis cinerea. In the high-THC chemovar ("240"), controlled N2 and atm drying conditions preserved THCA concentration as compared to the initial time point (t0). On the other hand, in the hybrid chemovar ("Gen12") all of the employed drying conditions preserved THCA and CBDA content. The optimal drying conditions for preserving monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in both chemovars were C5O5 (5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2) and pure N2, respectively. The results of this study suggest that each chemovar may require tailored drying conditions in order to preserve specific terpenes and cannabinoids. Controlled atmosphere drying chambers could offer a cost-effective, fast, and efficient drying method for preserving cannabinoids and terpenes during the drying process while reducing the risk of mold growth.

Risk assessment of mold growth across the US due to weather variations

Mold growth in residential and commercial buildings poses a serious problem to various communities. There are several facets of the problem, the most prominent of which are chronic public health risks, business losses, and monetary and labor resources needed for mold containment and mitigation. In addition, there may be severe renovation work needed if the problem is left unattended. This paper describes a probabilistic framework for mold growth risk assessment on various construction materials and shows its application across a variety of climate conditions. Mold growth is contingent upon three ingredients: temperature, moisture, and nutrients. A specific construction material of interest represents the latter, while the other two are modeled through Monte-Carlo simulations. Mold growth is characterized by the mold growth index, which is tracked over ten years, with hourly time resolution. Analysis of the temperature and relative humidity empirical data revealed that these quantities are statistically dependent. Accounting for these interdependencies is crucial for realistic simulations of temperature and humidity and were numerically reproduced in the developed method. The developed framework allowed for realistic assessment of mold growth risk. It was applied across 60 US metropolitan areas in different climatological zones to quantify mold growth risk. The proposed framework allows for quantitative risk assessment of mold growth in different climatological conditions. Such a capability is needed for decision makers for timely mold mitigation, preventing health hazards, and avoiding large financial losses for emergency mold remediation and building repair.

Prenatal risk factors of indoor environment and incidence of childhood eczema in the Japan Environment and Children's Study

The quality of indoor environment is a risk factor for early childhood eczema and atopic dermatitis; however, its influence during pregnancy on childhood eczema in Japan has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to determine the indoor environmental factors that are associated with eczema in children up to 3 years of age, using national birth cohort data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).Information on indoor environments and eczema symptoms until 3 years of age was collected using self-administered questionnaires to the mothers. A total of 71,883 and 58,639 mother-child pairs at 1.5- and 3-years-old, respectively, were included in the former analyses. To account for prenatal indoor risk factors, 17,568 (1.5-years-old) and 7063 (3-years-old) children without indoor mold and/or ETS exposure were included in the final analysis. A higher mold index, gas heater use, parquet flooring use, and frequent insecticide use showed significantly increased risks for childhood eczema up to 3 years of age. These associations were consistent after stratification analysis among children whose parents did not have a history of allergies. The updated WHO guidelines on indoor air quality should be implemented based on recent findings regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to indoor dampness on health effects of children further in life, including asthma, respiratory effects, eczema, and other immunological effects.

Skin tests, serological IgE detection, basophil test—what is available, useful and helps to clarify a mold allergy?

AbstractThe prevalence of sensitization to molds is low in healthy people, but significant in asthmatics. As it has not yet been possible to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the presence of mold allergens and the occurrence of allergic symptoms, there is a great deal of uncertainty. The update of the S2k guideline “Medical–clinical diagnostics for indoor mold exposure” should help to objectify the topic. Based on the recommendations listed there for the diagnosis of suspected IgE-mediated mold allergy, this article presents the possibilities of skin tests, IgE determinations, and other in vitro test options, but also their limitations in clarifying the cause. Potential possibilities include component-resolved allergy diagnostics, while the limitations include the difficult standardization of test allergen extracts due to the complex allergen source and the insufficient commercial availability of the test extracts. A diagnostic algorithm is presented as a tool for a systematic approach to patients with suspected mold-associated respiratory allergy.

Pest categorisation of Crisicoccus seruratus.

Following the commodity risk assessments of Acer palmatum plants grafted on A. davidii from China, in which Crisicoccus matsumotoi (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was identified as a pest of possible concern, the European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to conduct a pest categorisation of C. matsumotoi for the territory of the European Union. Recent taxonomic revision of the genus Crisisoccus concluded that C. matsumotoi is a synonym of C. seruratus; therefore, the categorisation will use the current valid name C. seruratus. It is an insect pest native to Japan, feeding on species in 13 plant families. There are reports of its presence also in China and the Republic of Korea, but there is great uncertainty about the identity of the species for these records. Therefore, there is uncertainty about the species referred to as C. matsumotoi in the commodity risk assessments of A. palmatum. C. seruratus is a multivoltine species. It has three generations per year and overwinters as a nymph. The most important crops that may be affected by C. seruratus are figs (Ficus carica), grapes (Vitis spp.), nashi pears (Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta), persimmons (Diospyros kaki) and walnuts (Juglans regia). Plants for planting and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability suggest that the central, northern and some areas of southern EU countries would be suitable for the establishment of C. seruratus. The introduction of this mealybug would likely have an economic impact in the EU through yield reduction and fruit downgrading because of honeydew deposition and the consequent growth of sooty moulds. This insect is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread of this species into the EU. C. seruratus satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Bee venom: A potential natural alternative to conventional preservatives for prolonging the shelf-life of soft cheese ‘Talaga’

The study aims to explore bee venom (honey-BV) as a potential natural preservative for "Tallaga" soft cheese. Characterization of the active compounds in honey-BV was conducted via chromatographic analyses. Antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria and fungi was evaluated, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. Subsequently, honey-BV was applied to Tallaga cheese at 15 mg/g concentrations. The main active ingredients identified in bee venom were apamin (2%) and melittin (48.7%). Both concentrations of bee venom (100 and 200 mg/mL) exhibited significant antifungal and antibacterial properties against tested organisms, with MIC values varied from 0.2 to 0.5 mg/mL for bacteria to 3–13 mg/mL for fungi. Application of honey-BV in Tallaga cheese resulted in complete elimination of Staphylococcal populations after 2 weeks of cold storage, with no detectable growth of molds or yeasts throughout the storage period. Additionally, a steady decrease in aerobic plate count was observed over time. In summary, honey-BV holds promise as a natural preservative for soft cheese, however, more investigation is required to optimize the concentration for economic viability, taking into account health benefits and safety considerations.