Determination of ergosterol on mouldy building materials using isotope dilution and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Ergosterol content of building materials was quantified using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS) in an ion trap with external ionisation. Hydrolysing the samples by classic extraction at 85 degrees C for 90 min in vials was faster, more precise and safer than microwave assisted extraction. [4-2H2]ergosterol was synthesised and used as internal standard, giving method standard deviation of 5-10% from 10 to 30 ng to 10-15 microg ergosterol in the sample. The use of GC-MS-MS meant that no solid-phase extraction clean-up was needed, so one person could easily prepare 40-80 samples per day.
Nielsen
K F
KF
Department of Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby. kfn@ibt.dtu.dk
Madsen
J O
JO
D004875:Ergosterol / Q000032:analysis*; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome
D004875:Ergosterol