Identification of volatile markers for indoor fungal growth and chemotaxonomic classification of Aspergillus species.

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) were collected in water-damaged buildings to evaluate their use as possible indicators of indoor fungal growth. Fungal species isolated from contaminated buildings were screened for MVOC production on malt extract agar by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Some sesquiterpenes, specifically derived from fungal growth, were detected in the sampled environments and the corresponding fungal producers were identified.

A direct assessment of mycotoxin biomarkers in human urine samples by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Detection of mycotoxin biomarkers in urine of humans and animals provides a direct approach for assessing exposure to these mycotoxins as opposed to the indirect approach of food analysis, which in most cases is affected by the heterogeneity of the toxin in the food samples. Seven (7) mycotoxins and their metabolites (total 18 analytes) were selected and an LC-MS/MS method for their determination in human urine was developed and validated. The method consisted of direct analysis of two mycotoxin conjugates, deoxynivalenol-glucuronide and zearalenone-glucuronide without beta glucuronidase digestion of the urine samples.

Multiplex flow-through immunoassay formats for screening of mycotoxins in a variety of food matrices.

Two multi-analyte flow-through immunoassay formats for rapid detection of mycotoxins in a variety of food matrices (peanut cake, maize, and cassava flour) were developed and evaluated. The selected food matrices are typical staple foods and export products for most low-income communities around the world. The assay formats included gel-based and membrane-based flow-through assays and were based on the principle of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2-toxin and some masked metabolites in different cereals and cereal-derived food.

An LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2-toxin, HT-2-toxin and metabolites, including 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, zearalenone-4-glucoside, α-zearalenol-4-glucoside, β-zearalenol-4-glucoside and zearalenone-4-sulfate in maize, wheat, oats, cornflakes and bread. Extraction was performed with acetonitrile/water/acetic acid (79/20/1, v/v/v) followed by a hexane defatting step. After filtration, the extract was evaporated and the residue was redissolved in mobile phase for injection.

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

A Penicillium polonicum, an Aspergillus ustus and a Periconia britannica strain were isolated from water-damaged environments and the production of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) was investigated by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MS analysis. The most important MVOCs produced were 2-methylisoborneol, geosmin and daucane-type sesquiterpenes for P. polonicum, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, germacrene D, δ-cadinene and other sesquiterpenes for A.