Numerical Morphological Analysis of Fungal Growth based on a Reaction-Diffusion Model

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a numerical, reaction-diffusion based model that predicted colony formation by taking into account the influence of nutrients, moisture (water activity), temperature, and the surface characteristics of building materials for various fungi. First, the results of fundamental experiments that measure the growth responses of colony size on culture media under various environmental conditions are presented. Second, the mathematical models that reproduce colony formation on the PDA medium and the numerical simulation intended for the experimental conditions are discussed. Fitting of the model coefficients was performed using the data of the fundamental experiments, and sensitivity analysis was executed. The mathematical models proposed depended on the nutrient concentration and the substrate softness of the surface of the construction materials, and were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.