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Growth rate of fungi in bathrooms Experimental survey

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Mycoscience

Abstract

Factors promoting fungal contamination of the cement jointing between bathroom tiles were studied in the laboratory. Under continuous wet conditions, the growth of the yeastRhodotolura andCandida on cement was detected from the fourth day of the experiment. Following the rapid growth and decline of the yeast, growth of the moldPaecilomyces was detected on the 12th day. The application of soap or malt extract to the cement promoted the growth ofPaecilomyces. Prolongation of dry conditions delayed the growth of both yeast and mold; under these conditions,Cladosporium, one of the most common molds in household bathrooms, was detected instead ofPaecilomyces. Colonies ofCladosporium were observed along cracks in the cement. On all cement examined, a succession of mycological flora from yeast to mold was found, although fungal genera varied with culture conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Osaka City Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, 8-34 Tojo-cho, Tennoji, 543-0026, Osaka, Japan

    Nobuo Hamada

  2. Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327 Nakamachi, 631-8505, Nara, Japan

    Tokio Fujita

Authors
  1. Nobuo Hamada
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  2. Tokio Fujita
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Hamada, N., Fujita, T. Growth rate of fungi in bathrooms Experimental survey. Mycoscience 41, 297–301 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02463942

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02463942

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