Volatile organic compounds in commonly used beddings before and after autoclaving

Abstract

How to describe bedding, that is the question. So far it has been acceptable to write down the type and manufacturer of the bedding. And maybe for quality purposes screen the bedding for pesticide and hcav y metal residues. This study focused on assessing of ten volatile organic compounds, which as a group has been combined with negative effects on animals. The commonly used European beddings were found to contain tremendously variable concentrations of these arbitrarily chosen volatile compounds. Furthermore, in most cases the concentrations went down by an order of magnitude after autoclaving. In conclusion, description of bedding in sensitive studies remains vague unless there is data on volatile organic compounds of the bedding at its final destination, the animal cage.