Evaluation of bio-aerosols at an animal feed manufacturing industry: A case study

Authors: Hameed* A.A.A.¹; Shakour A.A.²; Yasser H.I.²

Source: Aerobiologia, Volume 19, Number 2, June 2003 , pp. 89-95(7)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Both total and biological particles (total culturable bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, mold and actinomycetes) were measured at an animal feed manufacturing industry. Suspended particle concentration ranged from 1.72 to 2.3 mg m^-3 with a mean value of 1.97 mg m^-3. Airborne microorganisms were detected in lower concentrations than those associated with suspended dust and feed-materials. Bacterial concentrations were two to three times higher than concentrations of mold and actinomycetes. Bacterial concentrations averaged 4.86 × 10³ cfu m^-3; 2.6 × 10⁴cfu m^-3 and 3.96 × 10⁷ cfu g^-1 in air, associated with suspended dust and feed-materials, respectively, whereas mold concentrations averaged 7.33 × 10²cfu m^-3; 1.97 × 10³ cfu m^-3 and 7 × 10⁵ cfu g^-1 of the corresponding environments, respectively. Enterobacterspp and Klebsiella spp were the most abundant Gram negative bacteria, whereas Bacillus species. were the most dominant Gram positive bacteria. Aspergllius niger, other Aspergillus species and Penicillium were the dominant mold isolates. Acremonium was only detected in feed materials, whereas Aspergillus fumigatuswas only detected in air. The animal feed industry environment has a significant bio-contamination and many of microorganisms implicated in respiratory problems were detected in this environment.

Keywords: aeroallergens; air; animal feed industry; microorganisms; suspended dust

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Air Pollution Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt (*author for correspondence: E-mail: hameed_33@yahoo.com) 2: Air Pollution Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Publication date: 2003-06-01