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Influence of various growth parameters on fungal growth and volatile metabolite production by indoor molds

Viviana Polizzi1, An Adams, Sarah De Saeger

  • 1Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. viviana.polizzi@ugent.be

The Science of the Total Environment
|December 16, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) from Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Periconia strains were identified. Environmental factors significantly influence fungal MVOC production, even under suboptimal growth conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Indoor air quality

Background:

  • Water-damaged environments harbor fungi that produce microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs).
  • MVOCs are implicated in the sick building syndrome, affecting indoor air quality.
  • Understanding fungal MVOC production under various conditions is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the MVOC profiles of Penicillium polonicum, Aspergillus ustus, and Periconia britannica.
  • To assess the impact of substrate, temperature, and relative humidity on fungal MVOC production.
  • To compare fungal MVOC profiles on different substrates relevant to indoor environments.

Main Methods:

  • Fungal strains isolated from water-damaged environments.
  • Headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis for MVOC identification.
  • Controlled incubation under varying temperature, relative humidity, and substrate conditions (malt extract agar, wallpaper, plasterboard).

Main Results:

  • P. polonicum produced 2-methylisoborneol, geosmin, and daucane-type sesquiterpenes.
  • A. ustus generated 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, germacrene D, and δ-cadinene.
  • P. britannica emitted aristolochene, valencene, α-selinene, and β-selinene.
  • MVOC production was generally higher on malt extract agar than on building materials, but profiles remained consistent.
  • Fungal species exhibited distinct responses to temperature and humidity, with significant volatile production even at suboptimal growth conditions.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified specific MVOCs produced by three fungal species relevant to indoor environments.
  • Environmental parameters like substrate, temperature, and humidity significantly modulate fungal MVOC emission.
  • Fungal volatiles can be produced substantially even under suboptimal growth conditions, highlighting potential indoor air quality risks.

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