VOLATILE METABOLITES PRODUCED BY 2 FUNGAL SPECIES CULTIVATED ON BUILDING-MATERIALS

Two fungal species commonly found in indoor environments, Penicillium commune and Paecilomyces variotii, were cultivated on pine wood and on a combination of gypsum board and mineral wool. Air from the cultures was adsorbed on Tenax TA and analysed using thermal desorption-cold t rap injection gas chromatography. Identification of the produced volat ile metabolites was performed by mass spectrometry. The majority of th e compounds produced were alcohols, ketones, ethers and terpenoid comp ounds. Commonly produced metabolites were 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methy l-1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 2-heptanone, 2-pentanone and 2,5-dimethylfuran . The production was highly influenced by both medium and species. Cop yright (C) 1996 British Occupational Hygiene Society.