Volatile metabolites of Serpula lacrymans, Coniophora puteana, Poria placenta, Stachybotrys chartarum and Chaetomium globosum

Volatile emissions from the cultures of three decay fungi on aspen and two soft rot fungi on gypsum board were investigated at 97–99% relative humidity of air. Air samples from the incubation chambers were adsorbed on Tenax TA tubes and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridges, and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography and HPLC, respectively. The composition of volatile metabolites varied significantly between the fungal species studied. Emissions of the brown rot fungi included pinenes, acrolein and few ketones. On the other hand, the production of alcohols from brown rot fungal cultures on aspen was poor during the 6–10 weeks of growth. The soft rot fungi emitted mostly ketones and alcohols. A significant ability of fungal growth to decrease aldehyde emissions was also observed.