Genotoxicity of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds

Luminescent and light absorption umu tests were used to investigate the genotoxicity of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), which have been reported to occur in conjunction with the growth of filamentous fungi. Investigation of 20 types of MVOC samples confirmed the SOS-inducing activity of 1-octen-3-ol, 2-methyl1-propanol, 2-heptanone, 3-octanol, 1-pentanol, 1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-2butanol, 3-octanone, 2-hexanone, 2-butanone, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 2-pentanol, ethyl isobutyrate, and terpinen-4ol. Of these materials, 3-methyl-2-butanone and 3-methyl-2-butanol, which were positive in both the luminescent and light absorption umu tests, were clearly shown also to be mutagenic based on the results of the Ames test. Each of these 20 MVOCs is known to be produced by microorganisms commonly detected in indoor environments, and long-term exposure could be a health hazard.