Myco-surface model for Fusarium solani growth and non-thermal plasma decontamination on building materials

Controlling fungal growth on building materials is essential for preserving indoor air quality and structural integrity. This study aims to (i) adapt the Myco-surface growth model for Fusarium solani colonization on plasterboard and wood fiberboard, and (ii) evaluate the antifungal efficacy of non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatments on these substrates. Fungal growth was monitored over a temperature range of 5–40 °C and modeled using the sigmoid-based Myco-surface model. Two NTP sources, a high-power diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) and a low-power negative corona discharge, were applied at various stages of fungal development. The Myco-surface model successfully captured the growth dynamics on both materials, with plasterboard supporting faster colonization than fiberboard. NTP treatments significantly inhibited fungal growth: the DCSBD source achieved complete inhibition on fiberboard, while the corona discharge had partial efficacy. These findings confirm the predictive capability of the Myco-surface model on complex building substrates and highlight NTP as a promising, non-destructive technology for fungal control in construction materials.