MOLD CONTAMINATION ON REFRIGERATOR DOOR HANDLES IN A MINIMARKET IN EAST WONGGADITI VILLAGE, GORONTALO CITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47918/jvtp4474Kata Kunci:
mold contamination, refrigerator door handles, minimarket, Aspergillus spp., surface hygieneAbstrak
Mold contamination on frequently touched surfaces in public spaces may indicate inadequate environmental hygiene and the potential presence of fungal microorganisms. This study aimed to identify mold contamination on refrigerator door handles in a minimarket located in East Wonggaditi Village, Gorontalo City. A descriptive study was conducted using ten swab samples collected from the right and left refrigerator door handles at five sampling points. The samples were cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and incubated at 30°C for 14 days. Mold growth was evaluated through macroscopic and microscopic observations. The results showed mold growth in all ten samples, indicating the presence of viable fungal contaminants on the examined refrigerator handles. Macroscopic observations revealed colonies with white to yellowish-white coloration and cotton-like textures. Microscopic observations showed fungal structures, including hyphae, conidia, vesicles, and conidiophores, with morphological characteristics suggestive of Aspergillus spp. However, species-level identification was not confirmed. These findings demonstrate that refrigerator door handles in the investigated minimarket were contaminated with mold and highlight the importance of maintaining hygiene on frequently touched surfaces. Routine cleaning and appropriate sanitation practices are recommended to help reduce surface contamination. Further research using quantitative fungal analysis and confirmatory identification methods is needed to determine contamination levels and establish the identity of the fungal isolates.
Referensi
[1] L. L. Bergeson, “Toxic mold: An issue of growing concern,” Pollut. Eng., vol. 36, no. 10, pp. 54–56, 2004, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-20444480642&partnerID=40&md5=00c4dec092af14ca16247c0a086a6b56
[2] S. Boutin-Forzano et al., “Indoor molds, mycotoxins and health,” Environnement, Risques et Sante, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 383–389, 2006, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33749461352&partnerID=40&md5=2fe67ea4f24892cd535d7ef691933d76
[3] N. N. I. M. Nazri and N. H. Z. A. Rahim, “DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF BACTERIA ON FREQUENTLY TOUCHED SURFACES AT A WORKPLACE,” Def. S T Tech. Bull., vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 164–171, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85120049160&partnerID=40&md5=1d2badb5d882f7884186c352df0635fd
[4] L. Curtis, A. Lieberman, M. Stark, W. Rea, and M. Vetter, “Adverse health effects of indoor molds,” J. Nutr. Environ. Med., vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 261–274, 2004, doi: 10.1080/13590840400010318.
[5] T. A. Metts, “Addressing environmental health Implications of mold exposure after major flooding.,” AAOHN J., vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 115-120;quiz121, 2008, doi: 10.1177/216507990805600304.
[6] O. C. Oluchi and J. Jalaludin, “Isolation and identification of mold from naturally ventilated preschools in urban and suburban area in Selangor,” Futur. Food J. Food, Agric. Soc., vol. 6, no. Specialissue, pp. 97–102, 2018, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85049467639&partnerID=40&md5=b1b5eceae24df1506695b899587df90e
[7] K. Zielińska-Jankiewicz, A. Kozajda, M. Piotrowska, and I. Szadkowska-Stańczyk, “Microbiological contamination with moulds in work environment in libraries and archive storage facilities,” Ann. Agric. Environ. Med., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 71–78, 2008, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-46349093086&partnerID=40&md5=7429bfc06b739a94e42ef6192fcd902d
[8] A. Palot, C. Charpin-Kadouch, H. Dumon, and D. Charpin, “Non allergic disorders associated with domestic moulds,” Rev. Fr. Allergol., vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 439–445, 2011, doi: 10.1016/j.reval.2010.03.007.
[9] A. Palot, C. Charpin-Kadouch, H. Dumon, and D. Charpin, “Non allergic disorders associated with domestic moulds,” Rev. Mal. Respir., vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 180–187, 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.rmr.2009.09.006.
[10] S. Perčič, P. Otorepec, and A. Kukec, “Moulds in the indoor environment and possible health effects,” Zdr. Vestn., vol. 84, no. 12, pp. 820–833, 2015, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84954494819&partnerID=40&md5=320e1b8e61d5419e4582d6ad6ce2b9f1
[11] M. L. Miranda, M. A. O. Galeano, B. Hale, and W. R. Thomann, “Crawl spaces and transmission of mold,” in Child Health and Human Development: Social, Economic and Environmental Factors, Children’s Environmental Health Initiative, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States: Nova Science Publisher Inc., 2013, pp. 131–146. [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85152979592&partnerID=40&md5=2f5039a66881be2dd3d90f816b2b8cab
[12] L. Kempton, G. Kokogiannakis, and P. Cooper, “Mould risk evaluations in residential buildings via site audits and longitudinal monitoring,” Build. Environ., vol. 191, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107584.
[13] V. Bex, A. Mouilleseaux, L. Bordenave, and F. Squinazi, “Environmental audits in the Isle-of-France,” in European Annals of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2003, pp. 259–263. [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0142246861&partnerID=40&md5=4f7d02b1e98ae8c66f2ddfc46791bacf
[14] D. A. Edmondson, M. E. Nordness, M. C. Zacharisen, V. P. Kurup, and J. N. Fink, “Allergy and ‘toxic mold syndrome,’” Ann. Allergy, Asthma Immunol., vol. 94, no. 2, pp. 234–239, 2005, doi: 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61301-4.
[15] O. Herbarth and A. Müller, “Allergic disorders caused by mould: Results of epidemiological, environmental health and intervention studies,” Allergologie, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 3–9, 2011, doi: 10.5414/alp34003.
[16] J. Santilli and W. Rockwell, “Fungal contamination of elementary schools: A new environmental hazard,” Ann. Allergy, Asthma Immunol., vol. 90, no. 2, pp. 203–208, 2003, doi: 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)62142-4.
[17] H. H. Hussain, N. T. Ibraheem, N. K. F. Al-Rubaey, M. M. Radhi, N. K. K. Hindi, and R. H. K. AL-Jubori, “A review of airborne contaminated microorganisms associated with human diseases,” Med. J. Babylon, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 115–122, 2022, doi: 10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_20_22.
[18] M. Y. Menetrez, “Antimicrobial treatment and efficacy,” in Toxicity of Building Materials, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management, Research Laboratory, Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division, 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, 27711, NC, United States: Elsevier, 2012, pp. 351–390. doi: 10.1533/9780857096357.351.
[19] M. Y. Menetrez, K. K. Foarde, T. D. Webber, T. R. Dean, and D. A. Betancourt, “Testing antimicrobial cleaner efficacy on gypsum wallboard contaminated with Stachybotrys chartarum,” Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res., vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 523–528, 2007, doi: 10.1065/espr2007.03.397.
Unduhan
Diterbitkan
Terbitan
Bagian
Lisensi
Hak Cipta (c) 2026 Journal of Health, Technology and Science (JHTS)
Artikel ini berlisensi Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
