"BioTape Surface Sampling Slides"

Moulds are fungi that grow as saprophytes or parasites on organic material. They appear as a fluffy, felt-like mass that can take different colours depending on species. The colours range from black, different shades of green to even yellow or red. Microscopically this mass, which is named mycelium, consists of a network of threadlike hyphae. They produce hydrolytic exoenzymes that break down biopolymers and subsequently absorb it as nutrition. The mycelium, which is the vegetative part of the fungi, can under certain circumstances (often depletion of substrate) make spore-bearing parts that produce masses of spores. These spores are very small (2-15 µm) and may easily be dispersed in the air. If the spores are deposited on a surface with suitable growth conditions (moisture, nutrition and temperature) they may germinate and start a new mycelium. As a consequence we are daily exposed to fungal spores. Extensive mould growth may give a musty unpleasant odour caused by microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC´s) that can be produced by the fungi. Another topic of concern is other types of secondary metabolites called mycotoxins. Several mould species produce these compounds that can be toxic and carcinogenic to animals and human (e.g. aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus). The mycotoxins are non-volatile and can be found in the spores, fragments of hyphae or in the substrate on which the moulds grow. The same is true for allergens, a third group of substances from mould growth. They can give allergic reactions in persons sensitive to moulds. Significant associations have been found between damp, mould-contaminated buildings and health effects although spore counts in indoor air samples are generally very low. In certain occupations like wood trimming and farming, airborne spore counts may reach more than a billion per cubic meter, which gives high risk for acute illness.

To use the BioTape slide, you write the room location you are testing on the slide, peel off the tape, press the sticky surface onto the surface to be tested, remove the slide, and place the slide back in its case.


The samples collected on these slides will be microscopically analyzed to determine the species present, if any.

Step by Step Guidelines:

"BioTape Surface Sampling Slides"

These are flexible plastic slides. Each has a writable label on one end and a sticky surface, covered by a protective plastic tape, on the other end.

To use the BioTape slide, you write the room location you are testing on the slide, peel off the tape, press the sticky surface onto the surface to be tested, remove the slide, and place the slide back in its case.
                                                                                                     

The samples collected on these slides will be microscopically analyzed to determine the species present, if any.

Step by Step Guidelines:

• Lift the BioTape slide from its plastic case
• Write the necessary information on the slide label
• Peel off the protective plastic from the sticky area
• Stick the slide to the surface you want to test – sticky area face down
• Peel off the slide from the surface and return it to its plastic case
• Post it back to Mould Busters
• Analysis results will be posted/Emailed back to you.

€ 80