Cadavers stored under refrigerated conditions as a source of cold-adapted microscopic fungi

Fungi are frequently observed on human remains during decomposition; however, little is known about fungal communities associated with cadavers stored under refrigerated conditions. This study aimed to characterize the cultivable fungal diversity of human cadavers subjected to long-term cold storage and to identify taxa capable of persisting under these conditions. A total of 12 cadavers were examined, including refrigerated cadavers stored at 4 °C, frozen cadavers, and one non-refrigerated comparison case recovered from an indoor environment. Fungi were isolated using culture-based methods and identified using morphological and molecular approaches. The influence of four culture media (Yeast Peptone Glucose – YPG, Potato Dextrose Agar – PDA, Sabouraud agar with glucose – SGA, and Modified Leeming–Notman agar – MLNA) and three incubation temperatures (5, 24, and 37 °C) on fungal recovery was also evaluated. In total, 270 fungal isolates representing 73 species were obtained. The most frequently isolated species were Yarrowia lipolytica , Penicillium crustosum , Debaryomyces hansenii , Penicillium polonicum , and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum . PDA medium and incubation at 24 °C yielded the highest species richness. A negative correlation was observed between fungal species richness and storage time in a cold room. Several fungal taxa were recorded for the first time from human cadavers. These findings provide new baseline data on fungi associated with cold-stored human remains and contribute to the development of forensic and environmental mycology. Key points • Fungal species recovered from refrigerated human cadavers. • Penicillium and yeast species dominated the fungal assemblages. • Species richness decreased with increasing storage time.