VOLATILE METABOLITES FROM MICROORGANISMS GROWN ON BUILDING MATERIALS

Microorganisms are able to produce a variety of volatile organic compounds. Microbially produced substances are one possible explanation of odour problems and negative health effects in buildings affected by microbial growth. In this study emissions of volatile compounds from mixed cultures of five fungi grown on three different humid building materials were investigated. Six different sampling methods were used, to be able to collect both non-reactive volatile organic compounds and reactive compounds such as volatile amines, aldehydes and carboxylic acids. Analysis was performed using gas chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography and ion chromatography. Mass spectrometry was used for identification of compounds. The main microbially produced metabolites found on pinewood were ketones and alcohols. Compounds such as nitromethane and dimethoxymethane were found on particleboard. On all materials the emission of aldehydes decreased during microbial growth. No amines or carboxylic acids were identified.