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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
Acute effects of a fungal volatile compound
Robert Wålinder1, Lena Ernstgård, Gunnar Johanson
1Department of Medical Sciences/Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. robert.walinder@medsci.uu.se
Objective:
3-Methylfuran (3-MF) is a common fungal volatile product with active biologic properties, and previous studies have indicated a contribution to airway disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute health effects of this compound in humans.
Design:
Acute effects were assessed via chamber exposure to (1 mg/m3) 3-MF.
Participants And Measurements:
Twenty-nine volunteers provided symptom reports, ocular electromyograms, measurement of eye tear film break-up time,vital staining of the eye, nasal lavage, acoustic rhinometry, transfer tests, and dynamic spirometry.
Results:
No subjective ratings were significantly increased during exposure. Blinking frequency and the lavage biomarkers myeloperoxidase and lysozyme were significantly increased, and forced vital capacity was significantly decreased during exposure to 3-MF compared with air control.
Conclusions And Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Acute effects in the eyes, nose, and airways were detected and might be the result of the biologically active properties of 3-MF. Thus, 3-MF may contribute to building-related illness.
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