ß-(1,3)-Glucan Levels and Its Determinants in New Zealand Bedrooms

Abstract

ß-(1,3)-glucan is a pro-inflammatory component of the fungal cell wall, indoor levels of which have only been considered in a few studies. This study assessed levels of ß-(1,3)-glucan in 35 domestic bedrooms. ß-(1,3)-glucan levels were estimated using a modified Limulus amoebocyte lysate kinetic assay. ß-(1,3)-glucan geometric mean levels (95% confidence interval) were 163.9 μ g/g (129.5–209.3) from bedroom floors; 76,6 μ g/g (61.4–94.0) from mattresses; 132.1 μ g/g (68.9–207.9) from duvets; and 110.0 μ g/g (82.2–146.4) from pillows. Synthetic bedding and older mattresses contained higher ß-(1,3)-glucan levels. Synthetic bedding contains higher levels of ß-(1,3)-glucan than feather bedding, which may be of importance to asthmatics.

Keywords:

• ß-(1,3)-glucan
• fungi
• bedding
• feather
• synthetic