Fungi and some mycotoxins producing species in the air of soybean and cotton mills: a case study

The aim of the present study was to identify fungi and their levels in the air of cotton and soybean industry work–places with a focus on the ability of some Aspergillus, Penicillium and their teleomorphic species for producing mycotoxins. Air samples were collected by passive sedimentation on Petri plates containing 2% malt extract agar, for 10min. Various allergenic, opportunistic and toxigenic species were found. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium nigricans, Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium cladosporoides were the predominant species. Many of the identified species have aerodynamic diameter (Dae)