GC-MS OF MICROORGANISMS IN THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT: SAMPLING STRATEGIES AND STRUCTURE-BIOACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS

摘要

We present a strategy for applying gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to characterize the microbiology of indoor environments. Air-borne dust in the breathing zone collected both by sedimentation on horizontally placed plexiglass plates and by pumping air through polycarbonate filters showed similar patterns of ergosterol (fungal biomass marker) and 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs, endotoxin markers) thus indicating closely related microbial communities. The same markers were also detected in damp carpets regardless whether or not bacteria were revealed by culture. Convincing correlations have been demonstrated between marker contents, culture, and endotoxin potency of dust. Chemical marker analysis by GC-MS is a useful tool for characterizing the microbial community in indoor environments and has the advantage that it detects not only the minority of the microorganisms that is cultivable but also non-cultivable cells.