Detection of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) by ion-mobility spectrometry.
Traces of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in air can indicate the presence of growth of moulds in the indoor environment. Ion-mobility spectrometry is a very promising method for detection of these MVOCs, because of its high sensitivity. For development of an in-situ method for detection of MVOCs, a portable ion-mobility spectrometer (IMS) was used and test gases of 14 MVOCs and their respective mixtures were investigated. IMS spectra were recorded as a function of concentration of MVOCs in air. Drift time and mobility of reactant ions formed in positive polarity mode were determined and correlated with the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of the MVOCs investigated. The estimated detection limit has a specific value for each MVOC and is in the range 3 to 96 microg m(-3) (1 to 52 ppb(V)). Indoor trials show that IMS can indicate hidden mould growth.
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, 12200 Berlin, Germany.
Carlo
C
Tiebe
Hans
H
Miessner
Bernhard
B
Koch
Thomas
T
Hübert
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds