Prediction of mold contamination from microbial volatile organic compound profiles using head space gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

► A new analytical methodology based on an integrated chemical and microbiological approach was developed to assess the fungal load of a contaminated building. ► A microbial VOC profile indicative of the degree of contamination of an indoor environment by fungal molds can measured using headspace GC/MS. ► GC profiles of microbial VOCs sampled could be correlated to Anderson impactor data using discriminant analysis. ► A distinct profile indicative of MVOCs was developed from air sampling data that could be readily differentiated from a blank.