VOLATILE METABOLITES OF SERPULA-LACRYMANS, CONIOPHORA-PUTEANA, PORIA-PLACENTA, STACHYBOTRYS-CHARTARUM AND CHAETOMIUM-GLOBOSUM

Volatile emissions from the cultures of three decay fungi on aspen and two soft rot fungi on gypsum board were investigated at 97-99% relati ve humidity of air. Air samples from the incubation chambers were adso rbed on Tenax TA tubes and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridges, and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography and HPLC, respective ly. The composition of volatile metabolites varied significantly betwe en the fungal species studied. Emissions of the brown rot fungi includ ed pinenes, acrolein and few ketones. On the other hand, the productio n of alcohols from brown rot fungal cultures on aspen was poor during the 6-10 weeks of growth. The soft rot fungi emitted mostly ketones an d alcohols. A significant ability of fungal growth to decrease aldehyd e emissions was also observed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.