Microbial volatile organic compounds are emitted by diverse set of microbial organisms and they are known to cause health hazards when present in indoor air. Early detection of fungal contaminated buildings and species present is crucial to prevent health problems caused by fungal secondary metabolites. This thesis focuses on analysing emission profiles of different insulation materials and fungal cultures, which allows, in further studies, to develop efficient new ways to detect fungi from contaminated buildings.
Studied insulation materials consisted of cellulose and glass wool, which were analysed in multiple different conditions. Humidity of atmosphere was varied between 0-10 microliters and temperature was varied between 30°C and 40°C. In fungal emission profile study 24 different cultures were analysed in two different atmospheres, ambient and micro- aerophilic, and in multiple different inoculums. Analysis for both insulation materials and fungal cultures was done using headspace solid phase microextraction Arrow -tool and headspace in tube extraction –tool together with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. One goal for this thesis was also test suitability of these methods for detection of fungal secondary metabolites.
Comprehensive fungal emission profiles were successfully formed and new information from behaviour of insulation materials in different settings was found. In addition, new information about analysis methods and fungal behaviour in different atmospheres was found. Headspace solid phase microextraction Arrow with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry was found to be efficient, sensitive and timesaving method for indoor air study purposes. There were also many potential fungal culture specific biomarker compounds found for further study purposes.
