A study of fungal spore poupulations in the atmosphere of Kuwait

Abstract

The fungal air-spora of Kuwait was investigated using the Petri-dish trapping technique. During the period from 1st April, 1974 to 30th June, 1975, a total of 3685 colonies were recorded from 2 % malt agar plates. Fifty-five genera and 116 species were identified. Alternaria occupied the first place in the order of percentage incidence, being represented by 18.3% of the entire catch, followed by Aspergillus (17.1%), Penicillium (14%), Cladosporium (13.6%), Drechslera (13.3%), and Ulocladium (7.1%). The widest spectrum of species was displayed by Aspergillus (possessed 19 species) followed by Penicillium (17 species), Alternaria (6 species), Drechslera (5 species), and Ulocladium (4 species). The monthly total number of fungi showed marked seasonal periodicity with the greatest number of colonies occurring in March–April and November. The lowest counts were recorded in mid-summer (July) and mid-winter (January). Only 220 colonies and 17 species of thermophilous fungi were reported from plates incubated at 45 °C. The most common species were Aspergillus fumigatus and A. terreus.