Fungal Contamination and its Distribution in Cafeteria Surfaces: Study from the College of Education for Girls, University of Baghdad
Keywords:
Aspergillus niger, Cafeteria hygiene, Cladosporium sp, Colony-forming units (CFU), Fungal contamination, Penicillium sp, Public health, Surface contamination, Sanitation practicesAbstract
This research was carried out to detect the level of fungal contamination on some surfaces in cafeteria College of Education for Girls, University Baghdad. Fungal contamination was identified and enumerated in a total 514 dust samples collected from chairs, tables, table clothes and containers; these results were expressed as colony-forming units per cubic meter (CFU m-1). Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., and Cladosporium spp. were the three most abundant fungal species in all samples. Total fungi in the first set of samples were counted up to 242 CFU. m-1, and Aspergillus niger was the most common fungus identified (76.4% of total fungi). In the second group of samples, the level of fungal contamination was higher and included 500 CFUE. m-1, where Aspergillus sp. represented the other 72.3%). The third set had the least amount of contamination, giving an average 283 CFU. The proportion of Aspergillus showed a slight decrease by m-1, but it was still unchanged with 42.4% in total (Table This study highlights the health risks that may exist in public spaces such as a cafeteria due to fungi specifically A. niger, which implies better sanitation strategies are needed to reduce exposure and related contamination hazards.
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