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Journals / Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences / 2026 / Volume: 26 Issue: 1

Fungal contamination in residential water systems: A comparative study between hot and cold water samples

Esra Merve Dizge(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, FEN BİLİMLERİ ENSTİTÜSÜ)0000-0003-2272-6956
Duygu Kadaifçiler(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, FEN FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-4825-243X
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-04-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

No relationship was detected between fungal growth and pH and chlorine.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Some fungal species are known to have adverse health effects for humans and their presence in water systems may lead to alterations in the taste and odour of the water they occupy.
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Key Findings & Data:Cold and hot water samples were taken from 20 randomly selected buildings in Istanbul and inoculated into SDA using the membrane filtration method for fungal isolation, and onto R2A and Candida Agar using the spread plate method for bacterial and Candida isolation, respectively.
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Conclusion & Impact:No relationship was detected between fungal growth and pH and chlorine.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Fungi · Biodiversity · Tap water

Abstract

Some fungal species are known to have adverse health effects for humans and their presence in water systems may lead to alterations in the taste and odour of the water they occupy. Although a few country-based regulations are known, no universal legal restriction on the presence of fungi in drinking or utility water is present currently. Waterborne fungi have been a neglected part of microbial studies worldwide, and more sudies are needed in the current era of global warming. This study was performed to evaluate (i) the fungal load in randomly selected residential water systems connected to the municipal water supply in Istanbul, Türkiye, and (ii) the possible impact of water temperature on the number and biodiversity of fungi. Additionally, the relationship between bacterial loads, some water parameters and the determined fungi were investigated. Cold and hot water samples were taken from 20 randomly selected buildings in Istanbul and inoculated into SDA using the membrane filtration method for fungal isolation, and onto R2A and Candida Agar using the spread plate method for bacterial and Candida isolation, respectively. More microorganisms were detected in cold water samples than in hot water. The mean fungal and bacterial numbers in cold and hot water samples were 2.4, 1.47, 702.3 and 79.5 cfu/100 mL, respectively. No Candida was found. It was determined that temperature affected the biodiversity and frequency of fungi. Penicillium (41%) and Aspergillus (43.75%) were the dominant fungal genera in cold and hot water, respectively. Aspergillus versicolor was the most common fungal species found in both water samples. 9 of fungi were identified that are known to have the potential to cause allergies and/or opportunistic infections. No relationship was detected between fungal growth and pH and chlorine.

Özet

Bazı mantar türlerinin insanlar için olumsuz sağlık etkileri olduğu bilinmektedir ve su sistemlerinde bulunmaları, bulundukları suyun tadında ve kokusunda değişikliklere yol açabilir. Birkaç ülke bazlı yasal düzenleme bilinmesine rağmen, şu anda içme veya kullanma suyunda mantar varlığına ilişkin evrensel bir yasal kısıtlama bulunmamaktadır. Su kaynaklı mantarlar, dünya çapında mikrobiyal çalışmaların ihmal edilmiş bir parçasıdır ve küresel ısınmanın yaşandığı günümüzde daha fazla çalışmaya ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu çalışma, (i) İstanbul, Türkiye'deki belediye su şebekesine bağlı rastgele seçilmiş konut su sistemlerindeki mantar yükünü ve (ii) su sıcaklığının mantar sayısı ve biyolojik çeşitliliği üzerindeki olası etkisini değerlendirmek için gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ek olarak, bakteri yükleri, bazı su parametreleri ve belirlenen mantarlar arasındaki ilişki araştırılmıştır. İstanbul'da rastgele seçilmiş 20 binadan soğuk ve sıcak su örnekleri alınmış ve mantar izolasyonu için membran filtrasyon yöntemi kullanılarak SDA'ya, bakteri ve Candida izolasyonu için sırasıyla yayılmış plaka yöntemi kullanılarak R2A ve Candida Agar'a ekimleri yapılmıştır. Soğuk su örneklerinde sıcak sudan daha fazla mikroorganizma tespit edilmiştir. Soğuk ve sıcak su örneklerindeki ortalama mantar ve bakteri sayıları sırasıyla 2,4, 1,47, 702,3 ve 79,5 cfu/100 mL olarak bulundu. Candida bulunamadı. Sıcaklığın mantarların biyoçeşitliliğini ve sıklığını etkilediği belirlendi. Soğuk ve sıcak suda sırasıyla baskın mantar cinsleri Penicillium (%41) ve Aspergillus (%43,75) idi. Her iki su örneğinde de en sık bulunan mantar türü Aspergillus versicolor idi. Alerji ve/veya fırsatçı enfeksiyonlara neden olma potansiyeli olduğu bilinen 9 mantar türü tanımlanmıştır. Mantar üremesi ile pH ve klor arasında bir ilişki saptanmamıştır.

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Cite This Article

Dizge, E. M., Kadaifçiler, D. (2025). Fungal contamination in residential water systems: A comparative study between hot and cold water samples. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, Volume: 26 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.1576675

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