Evaluación de la carga microbiana del aire interior y condiciones microclimáticas en la biblioteca del campus de la Universidad Militar Nueva Granada.

Fungal and bacterial bioaerosols have the potential to induce biodeterioration in books and archival materials stored within libraries through their metabolic processes. The progression of these processes is dependent on microclimatic factors, including relative humidity and temperature. At the national level, research on biodeterioration in libraries and investigations into bioaerosols in indoor environments have been limited. These topics are of great significance as they have an impact on both public health and book preservation. This study aims to determine the microbial load within the indoor air of the library situated on the campus of Universidad Militar Nueva Granada in Cajicá, Colombia. Simultaneously, it seeks to investigate the microclimatic conditions of this environment. We used a MAS-100 Eco air sampler with an airflow rate of 100 L/min for a duration of 2.5 minutes. Nutrient agar and rose Bengal were employed as culture media. The samples were incubated for 8 days, and colony counting was performed on Petri dishes. For fungal identification, we used lactophenol blue staining, and Gram staining was employed for bacterial classification. Microclimatic conditions were continuously monitored using a data logger equipped with a USB connection. The results revealed microbial loads ranging from 220 to 921 CFU/m³, with temperatures fluctuating between 18.2 and 18.6°C, and relative humidity levels within the range of 60.8% to 64.7%. The identification of fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium, as well as both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, was successfully achieved. An interesting observation emerged, indicating a corresponding increase in the concentration of fungal aerosols as relative humidity levels rose. In conclusion, this study emphasizes that microclimatic conditions, especially relative humidity, may increase the risk of biodeterioration within the library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]