RESULTS ON FUNGICIDAL ACTIVITY OF VIRKON'S DECONTAMINANT ON Aspergillus genus

Irina Elena Ismană (Ciobotaru), Elena Hriscu (Ursu), M.G. Usturoi

Abstract
    The objective of this paper was to determine the fungicidal activity of Virkon'S decontaminant on a strain of Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404.
    To achieve this goal, an artificial contamination of 100 cm2 surfaces was achieved; 1 strain of Aspergillus brasiliensis was used to prepare a fungal suspension with a 1 McFarland density using a Biosan density.
    From the fungal suspension with the density of 1 McFarland, several work solutions were made with different concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, respectively.
    Several surfaces were contaminated with the suspension of Aspergillus brasiliensis, then these surfaces were sprayed with the Virkon'S decontaminant at the three prepared concentrations; contact time was 10 minutes, 20 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively.
    Finally, sanitation tests were taken to verify the effectiveness of decontamination with this product.
    The conclusion of our research was that Virkon'S decontaminant had ineffective fungicidal activity for the 0.5% concentration at all three contact times.
    Concentrations of 1% and 1.5%, however, were effective at all contact times.

Key words: decontaminants, fungal suspension, Aspergillus genus