Numerical morphological analysis of fungal growth based on a reaction-diffusion model in indoor environment

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop a numerical, reaction-diffusion based model that predicted colony formation by taking into account the influence of nutrients, moisture, 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 in indoor environment and the numerical simulation intended for the experimental conditions are discussed. The prediction results of mathematical models based on reaction- diffusion system are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.