Volatile Organic Compound Profile Fingerprints Using DART–MS Shows Species-Specific Patterns in Fusarium Mycotoxin Producing Fungi

Fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are low-molecular weight fungal metabolites that have high vapor pressure at ambient temperatures and can function as airborne signals. Here, we report a VOC study of several different species of Fusarium. Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART–MS) was applied for non-invasive VOC fingerprinting of Fusarium isolates growing under standardized conditions. A large number of ions were detected from the headspaces of the Fusarium species sampled here. Ions were detected with distinctively high concentrations in some species. While there were few VOCs produced by only one species, the relative concentrations of VOCs differed between species. The methodology has potential for convenient detection and identification of Fusarium contamination in agricultural commodities.