JEM Spotlight: Fungi, mycotoxins and microbial volatile organic compounds in mouldy interiors from water-damaged buildings.
Concerns have been raised about exposure to mycotoxin producing fungi and the microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) they produce in indoor environments. Therefore, the presence of fungi and mycotoxins was investigated in 99 samples (air, dust, wallpaper, mycelium or silicone) collected in the mouldy interiors of seven water-damaged buildings. In addition, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled. The mycotoxins were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (20 target mycotoxins) and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS). Morphological and molecular identifications of fungi were performed. Of the 99 samples analysed, the presence of one or more mycotoxins was shown in 62 samples by means of LC-MS/MS analysis. The mycotoxins found were mainly roquefortine C, chaetoglobosin A and sterigmatocystin but also roridin E, ochratoxin A, aflatoxin B(1) and aflatoxin B(2) were detected. Q-TOF-MS analysis elucidated the possible occurrence of another 42 different fungal metabolites. In general, the fungi identified matched well with the mycotoxins detected. The most common fungal species found were Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus versicolor (group), Chaetomium spp. and Cladosporium spp. In addition, one hundred and seventeen (M)VOCs were identified, especially linear alkanes (C(9)-C(17)), aldehydes, aromatic compounds and monoterpenes.
Polizzi
Viviana
V
Ghent University, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Food Analysis, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Delmulle
Barbara
B
Adams
An
A
Moretti
Antonio
A
Susca
Antonia
A
Picco
Anna Maria
AM
Rosseel
Yves
Y
Kindt
Ruben't
R
Van Bocxlaer
Jan
J
De Kimpe
Norbert
N
Van Peteghem
Carlos
C
De Saeger
Sarah
S
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018570:Risk Assessment; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014835:Volatilization
D000393:Air Pollutants; D009183:Mycotoxins; D009930:Organic Chemicals