EWJ 60 April 2025 web - Journal - Page 84
Ca reduces the mycotoxin effect seen in Hirvonen
research 2003
In the research by T. Murtoniemi, M.M. Keina, A.
Nevalainen and M.R. Hirvonen (Hirvonen et al.,
1997) Department of Environmental Health, National
Public Health Institute, Kuopio, Finland 1 2002/454:
2002, revised 2003
Indeed, if we look at Hirvonen 2003 et.al The Society
for Applied Microbiology, Journal of Applied Microbiology, 94, 1059–1065 Starch in plasterboard sustains
Streptomyces californicus growth and bioactivity of
spores, When the starch was removed only from the
liner (board 6) the biomass production and sporulation markedly decreased compared with reference
board. When the starch was removed from the core as
well as the liner (board 5), both growth and sporulation were almost totally inhibited.
Where the growth of Stachybotrys chartarum was
inhibited on plasterboard only if the same biocide, at
the same dose, was added on the liner. If it was added
into the core, then S. chartarum growth still occurred.
This would indicate that the core sample of gypsum
plaster in the research were high in Calcium Ca and
low in sodium. As in the latter case of the research
2003, the spores were also extremely toxic to mouse
macrophages (unpublished data). This suggests that
the susceptibility of different microorganisms against
biocides may vary due to the myotoxicity.
Which begs the question is the starch and calcium
combination the key to reduction in mould growth
prevention in buildings.
Testing of toxicity of Stachybotrys chartarum
Which begs the question, does the Stachybotrys chartarum increase cytotoxicity as a defence mechanism to
the sodium and biocides, and indeed is the myotoxicity a defence response by the mould that is preventing
the eradication of the mould from dwellings worldwide even if the biocides are used. Conversely does
the increase of calcium Ca reverse this process and reduce the myotoxicity. Also, by reducing the mycotoxin
can we eradicate it.
One would hypothesise the increase of sodium So4
and the decrease in starch would produce conditions
not conducive to mould growth in buildings.
Given this I am of the opinion that we need a new approach to eradication where the mould is prevented
rather than controlled by biocides as by eradication by
biocide the moulds just responded in an increase in
mycotoxins by 90%, the reduction in starch in the
gypsum and increase in Sodium So4 would produce
gypsum that prevents mould growth rather than
allowing for ideal conditions for its growth.
I would hypothesise that the mycotoxin increase seen in
the research by Hirvonen of circa 90%, is indeed a defence mechanism by the mould and the reason why biocides do not eradicate black pin mould from dwellings.
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