FUNGAL GROWTH ON LEATHER SURFACE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THEIR GENERA BASED ON MACROSCOPIC APPEARANCES AND MICROSCOPIC MORPHOLOGY

Abstract

Author(s): Atul Adhikari *, Arabinda Changmai, Koushik Sen Gupta, Biplab Kumar Dey

Leather and goods made out of it are susceptible to microbial growth when it gets suitable temperature and humidity condition as it has a nutrient medium of protein and lipids. In this study, leather samples were collected from the market and stored in 28±2 °C temperature and high humidity to allow microbial growth. The microbes visible on the surface were cultured on the nutrient medium of Potato Dextrose Agar acidified with tartaric acid so that bacterial growth could be inhibited. The distinctive fungi colonies were then subcultured and observed under the microscopic magnifications to identify the fungi genera. Seven visually distinctive fungi colonies were identified as Mucor and Aspergillus genera based on macroscopic appearances and microscopic morphology.