Exploring Halophilic Fungi in Indoor Air: Diversity, Salt Tolerance, and Ecological Implications

Abstract

Indoor environmental air containing diverse fungal communities. Inside environment is never been investigated for halophilic fungi. In this study, the existence, diversity, and salt tolerance of halophilic fungi were assessed from indoor air samples collected from different points inside the laboratory. A total of 87 isolates were isolated using culture‑based methods. Halophilic fungi growth was screened on a range of salt concentrations (0.2 to 2.5 M NaCl). The fungal isolates grow on the elevated NaCl concentrations were classified as moderate halophiles. In the diversity analyses of indoor fungal species, it was revealed that the moderate fungal richness of a species with high evenness across sampling sites. However, statistical analysis showed that abundance vary regionally. On molecular level identification (ITS rDNA sequencing) the isolates of halophilic fungi were confirmed to the genus of Aspergillus. including A. versicolor, A. sydowii, and A. terreus