Biofouling of PVAc and PVOH surfaces by fungal conidia can result in surface discolouration and subsequent biodeterioration. In order to understand the interactions of fungal conidia on polymer surfaces, the surface properties of PVAc and PVOH and the hydrophobicity, size and shape of three type of fungal conidia was determined (Aspergillus niger 1957, Aspergillus niger 1988 and Aureobasidium pullulans). Fungal conidia were used in a range of binding assays (attachment, adhesion and retention). The PVAc and PVOH demonstrated different surface topographies and the PVAc demonstrated a higher maximum height (300.6 nm) when compared to the PVOH (434.2 nm). The PVAc surfaces was less wettable (75°) than the PVOH surface (62°). The FTIR demonstrated differences in the chemistries of the two surfaces, whereby the PVOH confirmed the presence of polar moieties. Hydrophobicity assays demonstrated that both A. niger species’ were more non-wettable than the A. pullulans. Following the attachment assays, the more hydrophobic Aspergillus spp. conidia attached in greater numbers to the more wettable surface and the A. pullulans was retained in greater numbers to the less wettable PVAc surface. The adhesion and retention assays demonstrated that the more polar surface retained all the types of conidia, regardless of their surface hydrophobicities. This study demonstrated that conidial binding to the surfaces were influenced by the chemistry and physicochemistry of the surfaces and spores. However, the inclusion of a washing stage influenced the adhesion of conidia to surfaces. In environments that were indicative of a attachment or retention assay a PVAc surface would reduce the number of A. niger spp. spores whilst a PVOH surface would reduce the number of A. pullulans spores. However, in an environment similar to a adhesion assay, a PVAc surface would be most beneficial to reduce spore retention. Thus, the use of the correct methodology that reflects the environment in which the surface is to be used is important in order to accurately inform hygienic surface development.

真菌分生孢子对PVAc和PVOH表面的生物污染可能导致表面变色和随后的生物恶化。为了了解真菌分生孢子在聚合物表面上的相互作用，测定了PVAc和PVOH的表面性质以及三种类型的真菌分生孢子的疏水性，大小和形状（黑曲霉1957，黑曲霉1988和金葡菌）。真菌分生孢子用于各种结合测定（附着，粘附和保留）。与PVOH（434.2 nm）相比，PVAc和PVOH表现出不同的表面形貌，而PVAc表现出更高的最大高度（300.6 nm）。PVAc表面的可湿性（75°）比PVOH表面的可湿性（62°）小。FTIR证明了两个表面化学性质的差异，由此PVOH证实了极性部分的存在。疏水性分析表明，这两个黑曲霉物种比更不可湿润A.霉。依附测定后，疏水性更高的曲霉属菌种。分生孢子更多地附着于更易润湿的表面和支链淀粉被更多地保留在不易润湿的PVAc表面。粘附力和保留力分析表明，极性更大的表面保留了所有类型的分生孢子，无论其表面疏水性如何。该研究表明，分生孢子与表面的结合受到表面和孢子的化学和物理化学的影响。然而，包括洗涤阶段影响了分生孢子对表面的粘附。在指示附着或保留测定的环境中，PVAc表面会减少黑曲霉的数量。孢子而一个PVOH面将减少的数量A.霉菌孢子。但是，在类似于粘附测定的环境中，PVAc表面对于减少孢子保留最有利。因此，使用正确的方法来反映要使用表面的环境非常重要，以便准确地告知卫生的表面发展情况。