A Method to Determine the Transfer of Mycotoxins from Materials to Air

Abstract

The aim of this work was to propose a new methodological approach to enable the measurement of three airborne mycotoxins and thus determine directly the rate of production and physical characteristics of these aerosols. A method enabling the measurement of three major mycotoxins in indoor air (sterigmatocystin (ST), deoxynivalenol (DON), and ochratoxin A (OA)) was thus optimized. This assay method was able to identify and quantify these mycotoxins at respective concentrations of 30 lg/L (n = 30, r/m = 3.9%), 20 lg/L (n = 10, r/m = 5.5%), and 20 lg/L (n = 10, r/m = 7.6%). Using this analytical technique and a rotary cup collection system validated elsewhere, measurement of the concentrations of three airborne mycotoxins was made possible with a theoretical limit of quantification (LOQ) of 60 pg/m 3 of air. Study of the transfer of mycotoxins from a substrate to the air made it possible to demonstrate, firstly, that the quantity of aerosolized mycotoxins was not proportional to that present on the moldy materials, and secondly that mycotoxins can be transported by aerosols in the alveolar fraction. We determined, under these conditions, a rate of production of ST aerosols.

Fungal Contamination of Building Materials and the Aerosolization of Particles and Toxins in Indoor Air and Their Associated Risks to Health: A Review

“…From different substrates maintained at a constant temperature, relative humidity and luminosity conditions, Moularat and Robine [ 56 ] observed clear variations in the release of sterigmatocystin (ST) from A. versicolor . The percentage of toxin released compared to the total amount produced on the substrates was 4% in the case of traditional wallpaper, while only 1% of ST was aerosolized from fibre glass and vinyl wallpaper due to the chemical and physical effects of substrate on the aerosolization process [ 56 ]. The chemical composition of different substrates provides diverse nutrients and thus different energy levels for the microorganisms to grow.…”

“…It may therefore directly influence the quantity of toxins produced during fungal development. Considering its further aerosolization, microbial adhesion on the material, microbial development and water retention in the material depend on the structure of the substrate, which would, in this situation, influence the percentage of the toxin to be aerosolized [ 56 ].…”

Topical Issue: Bioaerosol Research

“…In their paper, Moularat and Robine of the Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment in France proposed a methodological approach for measuring three airborne mycotoxins and subsequent quantification of the mycotoxin production rate and physical aerosol characteristics [9]. The investigators demonstrated that the amount of aerosolized mycotoxins was not proportional to that present on moldy materials.…”