{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000078","name":"Ergosterol","context":"human_adult","risk_level":"negligible","schema":"legacy","note":"Synthesis unavailable: compound lacks vectorizable regulatory classifications. Raw safety data returned.","data":{"risk_level":"negligible","summary":"Ergosterol (ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3beta-ol) is the principal sterol of fungal cell membranes, analogous to cholesterol in animal cells. It serves two critical roles in mycology and public health: (1) as a quantitative biomarker for fungal biomass in building materials, indoor dust, and environmental samples — ergosterol content of 3-8 ug/g in building materials indicates significant fungal colonization; and (2) as the molecular target of azole antifungal drugs (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole), which inhibit lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), blocking ergosterol biosynthesis and disrupting membrane integrity. Ergosterol itself has negligible direct toxicity — it is a normal dietary component present in mushrooms and is the precursor to vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) upon UV irradiation. It is not a health hazard per se but serves as an important indicator of fungal contamination. Analytical methods: GC-MS after saponification is the standard technique. Ergosterol measurement is used in IAQ investigations, food quality assessment (grain storage), and pharmaceutical quality control of antifungal susceptibility testing.","source_refs":["aletheia_fungi_batch_2026"]},"meta":{"synthesis_version":"n/a","timestamp":"2026-07-27T04:48:01.628Z"},"_notice":"ALETHEIA output is reference data, not professional advice. Not a substitute for primary agency sources or qualified professionals. See https://aletheia.holisticquality.io/disclaimer.","_disclaimer_url":"https://aletheia.holisticquality.io/disclaimer","available_contexts":["human_adult"]}