Investigation of fungal volatile organic compounds in hospital air

• Published in: Atmospheric pollution research Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 659 - 663
• Main Authors: Pantoja, Lydia Dayanne Maia, do Nascimento, Ronaldo Ferreira, de Araújo Nunes, Ana Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-07-2016
• Subjects: 2-Heptanone; Aspergillus; Deuteromycetes; Fungi; Hospital units; Microbial volatile organic compounds; Brazil, Ceara, Fortaleza; Brazil, Ceara; ASW, Brazil; Fungi; Aspergillus; Microbial volatile organic compounds; Hospital units; 2-Heptanone
• ISSN: 1309-1042; 1309-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2016.02.011

Fungal growth within the structure of buildings or in ventilation filters generates “hidden contamination”, which cannot be detected only through visual inspection. At the beginning of development, the fungi release fungal volatile organic compounds (FVOCs) into the atmosphere, which can originate from metabolic pathways or from the enzymatic degradation of materials. This study analyzed the air quality of a public referral hospital in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil in terms of FVOCs, to establish ways to improve methods of monitoring and control of specific sectors in the hospital. For that, we created and validated a protocol for detection of FVOCs, using GC/MS, while fungal samples were identified by analysis of macro and micromorphology. In total, 48 samples (60.5% positive) were analyzed for FVOCs; 7 were detected in at least one of the sectors analyzed, with 2-heptanone (179.5 μg/m3) and 2-methyl-1-propanol (121.5 μg/m3) as the most abundant. With respect to fungal findings, 24 samples were analyzed, with a high number of colony-forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3) observed in all sectors. The airborne fungal spectrum revealed the existence of 19 genera, composed predominantly by hyaline filamentous deuteromycetes. Analysis with periodic monitoring is still needed to allow improvement in the data quality. Also, further discussion on the subject in the academic and legislative environment is needed to contribute to the systematic study of aerobiology.
•2-heptanone and 2-methyl-1-propanol were the most frequent FVOCs.•Airborne fungi spectrum composition formed by hyaline filamentous deuteromycete.•Climatic data showed the incidence of FVOCs regardless of the climatic season.