XVI International Botanical Congess

In the present study, the fungal air spora was compared to the spectrum of fungal metabolites in the air of compost plants with regard to species-specific physiological properties. 24 fungal species were tested for the production of microbial volatiles (MVOC) and mycotoxins on synthetic and natural substrata. Microbial volatiles e.g. 3-methyl-1-butanol and 3-octanone were produced by several species, whereas a number of volatiles was species-specific. Mycotoxins of A. fumigatus were found in native bioaerosols and a number of MVOC was also detected in situ. If an inventory of microbial metabolites is combined with an exposure assessment of fungal propagules, potential health hazards in indoor environments can be identified more precisely.