Epifluorescent Microscopic Observation of Aerosol

Abstract

Epifluorescent microscopy, coupled with fluorescence staining techniques, is useful for observations and quantitative estimation of airborne microbial communities (bioaerosols). Irradiation of short-wavelength excitation light onto a specimen results in luminescence of longer-wavelength fluorescence from materials in the specimen. Various fluorescent chemicals are used as stains bound to specific biomaterials. DAPI staining enables detection of all microbial cells in aerosol samples. Live/Dead staining method can estimate concentrations of both living and dead cells among microbial assemblages. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH method) can be used as nucleotide probes for specific microbial species among bioaerosols. Epifluorescent microscopic observations provide information essential for elucidation of ecological characteristics of bioaerosols in atmospheric environments.