New Harvard Study Confirms the use of N-acetylhexosaminidase to Detect and Estimate Fungal Biomass

A new study recently published in the Journal of Microbiological Methods discusses the use of fluorometric detection when determining fungal biomass. The study, “Fluorometric detection and estimation of fungal biomass on cultural heritage materials”, was conducted by the Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University.

The study discusses the use of fluorometric technologies to identify fungal degradation of cultural heritage materials. The early detection of any fungal growth on these items can prevent costly remediation techniques and help prevent damage to irreplaceable heritage materials.

It was reported that Beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, which provides a reliable estimation of fungal biomass on building materials, can be adapted for use on cultural heritage materials. N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide (NAG) can be utilized for detecting beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity in Aspergillus niger. The study confirmed that flourescene increased with the fungal biomass in a linear fashion. The results were comparable with more invasive methods and provided an accurate non-destructive method that did not introduce chemicals or solvents on the sensitive heritage materials.

“The research conducted by Harvard scientists once again confirms the technology utilized in the Mycometer®-test,” reported Lisa Rogers, President of Mycometer, Inc. (USA). “The use of this technology has become commonplace in the indoor air quality industry when determining fungal biomass in homes and commercial buildings. This latest research shows additional applications for this cutting edge technology that can provide rapid fungal results utilizing robust methodologies and objective criteria. All done on-site,” she continued.

To learn more, please visit Mycometer at www.mycometer.com, email info@mycometer.com or call (813) 831-6511.

About Mycometer, Inc. (USA)
Mycometer was founded in 1998 as a spin off from a research group at the University of Copenhagen. Today the company has offices in Tampa, Florida and Copenhagen, Denmark. The company develops test kits for the detection and quantification of microorganisms. Their Mycometer®-test and the BactiQuant® method are utilized by the indoor air quality, healthcare, food processing, manufacturing and water industries across the globe.

Contact Information

Lisa Rogers

President

Mycometer, Inc. (USA)

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