Efficiency of bioaerosol samplers: a comparison study

Abstract Bioaerosols, including bacteria and fungi, are ubiquitous have been shown to impact various organisms as well biogeochemical cycles human health. However, sample collection poses a challenge for aeromicrobiologists can determine the success of study. Establishing standard procedure bioaerosol sampling could help advance field. We tested efficiency (number collected DNA yield per unit time) three devices: membrane filtration device, liquid impinger, portable electrostatic precipitator collector. compared these devices both culture-dependent studies, by enumerating colony forming units (CFUs), culture-independent extracting quantifying total DNA. Our results show that microorganisms significantly more efficiently than impingement in types studies over same time interval. This is due high flow rate device. work important timely because aeromicrobiology currently restricted long times risk evaporation, desiccation, or freezing during sample, which increases with times. Fieldwork convenience portability instruments an additional sampling. Using sampler overcome technical hurdles accelerate advancement field, use lightweight, battery-powered, inexpensive, device address limitations.