[MVOC of fungi--use as an indicator for exposure level]

The production of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) by fungi derived from biowaste was studied on synthetic agar (YES), compost-extract media (CEA VAR 1-3) and compost. Exposure assessment was carried out in composting facilities and the occurrence of VOC/MVOC was related to the presence of airborne fungi. A number of non-specific MVOC was found at all sampling sites or in each season, some of which showed preferences for certain sampling sites (3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-octanone). They seemed to be correlated with a certain species composition or with microbial activity, and may thus be used to describe a certain state of decomposition. Correlations between single volatiles and certain fungi were found in situ, but these findings did not match with the species-specific volatiles obtained from pure cultures.