Supplementary file 1_Moldogenicity of dominant culturable molds in cigar tobacco leaves and GC-IMS–based analysis of volatile organic compounds.docx

This study aims to investigate the specific volatile profiles of dominant culturable molds recovered under the applied isolation conditions in CTLs and to establish a robust volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-based targeted monitoring strategy for preventing early-stage mold outbreaks.</p>Methods<p>Eight dominant culturable molds were isolated from natural mold CTLs, and their spores were inoculated onto sterile CTLs.

A combined visual scoring and mold counting system was utilized to evaluate the mold-inducing potential of the isolates. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) was employed to detect VOCs at the initial stage of visible mold onset. Furthermore, multivariate chemometric analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), were performed to process the data and screen for differential markers.</p>Results<p>Based on the evaluation system, the isolates were quantitatively classified into high-moldogenicity (Aspergillus montevidensis, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus pseudoglaucus, and Aspergillus versicolor) and low-moldogenicity (Talaromyces funiculosus, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Aspergillus chevalieri, and Aspergillus sydowii) strains.