Differentiation of Toxic Molds via Headspace SPME-GCMS and Canine Detection.docVIP

Sensors 2007, 7, 1496-1508 sensors ISSN 1424-8220 ? 2005 by MDPI /sensors Differentiation of Toxic Molds via Headspace SPME-GC/MS and Canine Detection Robert T. Griffith 1,2, Krishnaswamy Jayachandran 1,3,4, Kateel G. Shetty3,4, William Whitstine 1,5 and Kenneth G. Furton 1,2,* 1 International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA 2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 3 Department of Environmental Studies, 4Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA, 5 Florida Canine Academy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695, USA; E-mail: furtonk@ * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: furtonk@ Received: 2 August 2007 / Accepted: 2 August 2007 / Published: 13 August 2007 Abstract: Indoor mold growth has recently become a concern in the legal world in regards to insurance litigation. Hazardous mold exposure to humans has been linked to many acute and chronic adverse health effects including death. As it grows, mold produces several types of primary and secondary metabolites, including microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Microbial volatile organic compound emission may be used as a preliminary indication of a mold infestation that is invisible to the unaided eye. The objective of the study is to identify the unique odor signatures of three species of molds, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Stachybotrys chartarum by SPME-GC/MS analysis. Determining the compounds that are emitted by the selected species has made it possible to conduct validation studies of canine detection of these mold species through a series of field tests. Keywords: toxic molds, SPME-GC/MS, canine detection 1. Introduction Mold spores and conidia are virtually ubiquitous, spreading though the air all over the world. They are often deposited indoors, and, in the right indoor condition