Physiological characterization of environmental Penicillium isolates: Evaluation the biopathogenic and biodeteriorating potential indoor air isolates

Aeromycology is relevant due to the presence of fungal particles in the air that can affect health and cause biodeterioration in indoor environments, being Penicillium one of the most frequent genera. The aim of the study was to characterize the pathogenic and biodeteriorating potential, as well as the excretion of extrolites, of 10 environmental strains of Penicillium sp isolated from the air at the MByF of the UNaM.Hemolytic, proteolytic, lipolytic and growth at 37 °C, as well as cellulolytic, amylolytic, organic acid excretion and pigment production capacities were evaluated. The results showed a high biodeteriorating capacity: 100 % was cellulolytic, 90 % lipolytic, 40 % amylolytic and 50 % excreted organic acids. In terms of biopathogenic potential, 90 % were lipolytic, 70 % hemolytic and 20 % proteolytic; no strain grew at 37 °C.In conclusion, Penicillium sp strains exhibited moderate biopathogenicity and high biodeteriorating capacity, implying a potential risk to health and MByF materials. This highlights the importance of the pharmacist in Aeromycology and air health management.