| Abstract Detail
Economic Botany Section Ghosh , Dr. Nabarun [1], Bennert, Dr. Jeff [2], Saadeh, Dr. Constantine [3], Bouyi, Danius [4]. Pollen diversity in Texas Panhandle and AHPCO Nanotechnology to reduce allergy and asthma. Global warming exerts substantial effect on flora and fauna. Increasing greenhouse gases cause accelerated pollinosis and fungal spore production, two major aeroallergens for asthma and allergies. Allergies are caused by a hypersensitive reaction of the human body’s immune system to the allergen. We have analyzed the 14-year aeroallergen data of the Texas Panhandle using a Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap (UK) and digital microscopy. Exposed Melinex tapes were stained and observed under a BX-40 Olympus microscope. Most frequent allergenic pollen were grass (Poaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album), and Pine (Pinus). The fungal spores included Alternaria, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Pithomyces and many smut teliospores. We analyzed the pollen using digital, fluorescent and Scanning Electron Microscopy to analyze the colpi, sulci and external patterns of the pollen. The storage proteins vary in nature and that was reflected in the level of fluorescence that they produced. The 14-year aeroallergen data revealed a gradual shift and anomalous aeroallergen indices and early flowering that caused the increased cases of allergy and asthma. We have been working on developing an efficient device to reduce the indoor aeroallergen to alleviate the symptoms of allergy and asthma. Collaboration between Dr. Ghosh’s Lab at West Texas A & M University and Dr. Bennert of Air Oasis developed a nanotechnology called Advanced Hydrated Photocatalytic Oxidation (AHPCO) technology. AHPCO has been used in reducing indoor aeroallergens, MRSA in the hospitals, and microflora that cause contamination during food processing. These air purification systems were evaluated in the Microbiology and Mycology laboratories of the BSA Hospital laboratory in Amarillo, Texas in terms of the net reduction of bacteria in a negative pressure laboratory and the specific effect on isolates identified to be methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA. Bacteria isolated from the room air exposure were gram positive bacilli such as Bacillus sp. and Coryneform (diptheroids) sp., coagulase negative Staphylococcus sp., Micrococcus sp., and encapsulated gram negative bacilli. We recorded an average of 68.5% reduction of bacterial population on the TSA plates when running the Air Oasis air purifiers. The AHPCO nanotechnology is being used to develop devices to ensure the safety in food processing chambers. AHPCO nanotechnology has been proved to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms by reducing the indoor VOCs and aeroallergens, such as air-borne pollen, bacteria, fungal spores and hyphae, dust particles, fibers and animal dander.
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1 - West Texas A&M University, Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2403 russell Long Blvd., Canyon, TX, 79015, USA
2 - Air Oasis, Amarillo, TX, 79118
3 - Allergy AARTS, Amarillo, TX, 79124, USA
4 - West Texas A&M University, Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Canyon, TX, 79015, USA
Keywords:
pollen
Allergy
AHPCO Technology
Texas Panhandle.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEN001
Abstract ID:397
Candidate for Awards:None |
