Aureobasidium pullulans is a spoilage organism, especially a deteriogenic agent of painted surfaces. It is a commonly encountered species in wet buildings. Aureobasidium pullulans is both a soil and leaf (phylloplane) fungus. In indoor environment, it is very common on wet wood and window frames, floor, carpet, and mattress dust, damp walls, and humidifier water. It is occasionally found on a wide range of stored foodstuffs and cereals (such as wheat, barley and oats). Sometimes it occurs on meat in cold stores as it can grow at quite low temperatures.

Aureobasidium pullulans is associated with occupational disease in wood processing. It has also been isolated from human skin and nails.

Strains of Aureobasidium pullulans are used in various standard tests for resistance to microbial degradation.

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Biocides are generally not recommended in control of indoor mould growth or in mould remediation (removal) projects. Biocides however may be used under certain circumstances such where pathogenic microorganisms are involved. Read more about biocides at http://www.moldbacteria.com/mold/why-are-biocides-not-recommended-mould-remediation.html.

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc. provides laboratory testing for mould and bacteria. Mould testing services include analysis of non-viable air samples (Air-O-Cell, Micro 5, cyclex D, LARO-100, pcm cassettes), viable air samples (RCS, Andersen, etc), direct microscopic and culture analyses of bulk samples (drywall, wallpaper, pieces of carpets, insulation material, dust, wood and other matrices), lift tape and swab or wipe samples. Bacteria analyses include Gram Staining and Enumeration of Culturable Bacteria, Total Coliform / E. coli (Presence/Absence), Total Coliform / E. coli (MPN), Total Coliform (membrane filter), Fecal Coliform (membrane filter), Standard Heterotrophic Plate Count and Legionella detection.

Turnaround time for all culture analyses is 10-14 days. Non-culture analyses takes 2-5 days for regular service and 24 hours for rush service. Please call if you need sampling information or a list of our prices. Download our Chain of Custody (Analysis Request Form).

We serve:

• Certified Mould Remediators (CMR) and Certified Mould Inspectors (CMI)
• Environmental engineering and construction firms
• Industrial and occupational health consulting firms
• Building demolition/restoration contractors
• Homeowners and commercial building managers
• Hospitals/health care facilities, schools, banks, libraries, museums
• Insurance, real estate and legal professionals involved in mould and bacteria issues
• Home inspectors.

How are we different from others? At Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc.:

• We provide prompt, accurate testing. We understand delayed decisions while the client awaits laboratory results cost our clients money.
• We consult with the client on the most appropriate test to use. Inappropriate test methods cost the client more money and give results that are difficult to interpret and subsequently a waste of resources. In most cases, simple tests that cost less are good enough and the results are easy to interpret.
• Samples are analysed by experts in the field of microbiology.
• Our reports do not just give mould names that are difficult to understand. We go a step further by:
• Assisting the client with data interpretation to help them draw informed conclusions.
• We provide a final report on completion of each test, containing the full results along with a clear explanation of the results and any appropriate comments on whether the identified moulds are known to present health risks.
• We provide telephone or email follow up for every report to make sure the report is thoroughly understood by the client.
• We guarantee complete confidentiality.
• We provide expert microbiological advice and after-sales service.

Get help to interpret laboratory reports for free! Send the reports or questions to our Help Desk or fill the Questions Form and submit for priority attention. Your report will be interpreted within 48-72 hours. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed.

Click here for instructions on how to collect and send samples for mould confirmation or identification or visit our website at http://www.moldbacteria.com.
For immediate assistance call (905)290-9101.

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) Inc. is currently offering one-day training seminars on how to recognize mould, develop effective sampling strategies and interpret laboratory reports. For details, please visit their website at http://www.moldbacteria.com/training.html.

One of the visitors to our website sent us these questions/observations. “Eating mouldy food such as bread is discouraged. Where can I find the facts that prove this? Are there molds that grow on bread that are harmless? Some of my patients that survived food shortages in The UK during World War II by eating moldy bread and other foods insist that such fears about mold are unfounded”.

My comments/answers are that eating mouldy food is risky. The reason is that one cannot tell which moulds or even bacteria are growing on such food. While some moulds or even bacteria may not harm the person who eats this kind of food, some other moulds and bacteria are known to produce very toxic metabolites. However, even the toxin producers require certain conditions to produce the toxins. Also, some people are more resistant to mould poisoning than others. Recently, over 100 people died in one of the African countries after consuming grains (maize) contaminated by Aspergillus flavus, a mould that produces aflatoxin.

To conclude, not all moulds are dangerous. In fact a number of moulds are used in food processing or processed as food. Eating food contaminated by toxin producing moulds such as Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp is dangerous. Since we cannot tell (without testing) whether the food is contaminated with a toxin producing mould and whether the mould has secreted toxins into the food, it is safe to treat such food as dangerous.

Do you have a question concerning eating mouldy food? Send it to My Question.