Bacterial Flora on Mist Outlet Surfaces in 4D Theaters and Suspended Particle Concentration Characteristics during 4D Movie Screenings

Microorganisms. 2023 Jul 22;11(7):1856. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11071856.

Abstract

In this study, we measured suspended particle concentrations during the screening of 4D movies (3 screens and 15 movies) and 2D movies (9 screens and 9 movies) in 3 movie theaters to obtain a more detailed understanding of the situation of suspended particle concentrations and adherent bacterial flora in 4D movie theaters, which have been introduced in increasing numbers in recent years. The adherent bacterial flora on the floor and mist outlet surfaces in the 4D movie theaters were collected and analyzed. During the movie showings, the concentrations of suspended particles in 4D movie theaters were significantly higher than those in 2D movie theaters (p < 0.001). A significant increase in suspended particle concentrations due to 4D movie effects was also observed. The results of the α-diversity and β-diversity analyses indicate that the bacterial flora on the surfaces of mist outlets in 4D movie theaters are similar. Moreover, there are many closely related species, and the bacterial flora are rich and contain rare bacterial species. Many of the bacterial genera that are dominant in 4D theaters are suited to aqueous environments, and bacteria in the water supply system may have an impact on the indoor environment.

Keywords: 16S rRNA gene; 4D movie theaters; adherent bacteria; mist outlet; next-generation sequencing; suspended particles; α-diversity; β-diversity.