Advanced technology for quantitative assessment of airborne spores

Principle of Operation The ionic spore trap captures airborne

particulate matter by first ionizing the air and particles in a high voltage field and then forcibly trapping the particles on a capture medium.

The medium may be a scanning electron microscope stub, transparent tape for light microscope observations, or a membrane for RT-PCR analyses.

Engineering Rendering and Actual Spore Traps

User Interface (prototype)

In this example, the user programmed the device to operate Monday through Friday for 5 minutes beginning at 4 AM and again for 10 minutes beginning at 7 AM. Note that the interface provides temperature and humidity readouts as well as battery life and ejection door status. Environmental variables can be logged and downloaded.

Advantages of Ionic Spore Trap

Precise control of time and duration of operation. Programmable with menu-driven user interface. Very high and programmable air volumes. Very high capture efficiency. Very flexible with regard to collection media. Use of SEM allows for precise identification and

documentation. Can be used to assess spore germination. Ability to log and download environmental variables. Very low current draw allows for extended

unattended operation. Ideal as an early warning device.

Comparison of Standard Impact Trap and

Ionic Spore Trap

Phakopsora pachyrhizi from Ionic Spore Trap

Phakopsora pachyrhizi from standard impact trap with

clock-driven adhesive tape.

Ionic Spore Trap Impact Trap

Comparison of Adhesive Tape Mount and an Ionic Spore Trap

Stub

Calvatia sp. Calvatia sp.

Ionic Spore Trap stub viewed with SEM

Adhesive tape mount viewed with light microscope

Use of Ionic Spore Trap to Assess Spore Germination

Collection stub was covered with a membrane filter, the trap was run for a few hours in the field, and then the stub was misted with sterile water. The membrane-covered stub was then incubated for several hours in a moist chamber and then viewed with a SEM. A light microscope also could be used if the membrane is stained.

Low magnification. High magnification