Can VOCs be absorbed through your skin? How do fungi and other organisms use mVOCs to communicate with one another? Dr. Joan Bennett, a leading fungal geneticist, unpacks these intriguing questions in this science-packed episode. Explore the differences between microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) and mycotoxins, and what the odors they release reveal. Find out if the absence of musty smells means your home is mold-free, whether mVOCs pose health risks, and how mushroom alcohol, fruit flies, and Hurricane Katrina connect to mVOC research. Don’t miss this deep dive into the world of mVOCs!
Episode Highlights:
02:20
What are microbial volatile organic compounds mVOCs and how does our ability to smell them work?
07:26
What’s happening when mold and bacteria create odors that we can detect, and what accounts for their variety in odor?
10:29
Does no odor mean no mold?
13:16
How did Hurricane Katrina inspire Dr. Bennett’s study of mVOCs?
22:06
Are microbial volatile organic compounds mVOCs a health threat?
28:05
What’s the difference between mVOCs and mycotoxins?
32:15
Can mVOCs be absorbed through our skin?
35:42
How do organisms and fungi use mVOCs to communicate with one another?