ABSTRACT
An important aspect of understanding how bioaerosols can be infective and/or allergenic, is untangling the numerous physical, chemical and biochemical factors known to influence these properties. This chapter tries to provide explanations for associated phenomena with emphasis on more major developments. Effects of oxygen on other airborne microbes have been little studied. Hence, primary loss of viability of, e.g., Gram-negative bacteria may arise at warmer temperatures and higher humidities because of membrane phase changes coupled with concomitant, inactivating Maillard reactions, e.g., association of proteins and cross-linking of porin molecules. Analogous arguments seem likely for other microorganisms, including viruses, fungi and pollens, as well as for microbial and other allergens. Yet, owing to their inherent low thermodynamic stability, membranes and associated energy generating assemblages provide primary targets for desiccation damage, with direct correlations observed between coli viability and oxygen utilization.
