Application of UVAPS to real-time detection of inactivation of fungal bioaerosols due to thermal energy

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the capability of the ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizer spectrometer (UVAPS) with respect to real-time detection of the inactivation (death) of fungal bioaerosols due to thermal energy. Developed to detect viable bioaerosols, the UVAPS was not expected to produce any signal for dead bioaerosols. However, the experimental results show that the UVAPS produces fluorescence signals from fungal bioaerosols inactivated by sub-seconds exposure to thermal energy. The UVAPS measurement was taken a few seconds after fungal bioaerosols were inactivated by a thermal stimulus. The application of the UVAPS to real-time detection of the death of fungal bioaerosols may be limited under the present experimental conditions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.