Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (volatiles) comprise a chemically diverse class of low molecular weight organic compounds having an appreciable vapor pressure under ambient conditions. Volatiles produced by plants attract pollinators and seed dispersers, and provide defense against pests and pathogens. For insects, volatiles may act as pheromones directing social behavior or as cues for finding hosts or prey. For humans, volatiles are important as flavorants and as possible disease biomarkers. The marine environment is also a major source of halogenated and sulfur-containing volatiles which participate in the global cycling of these elements. While volatile analysis commonly measures a rather restricted set of analytes, the diverse and extreme physical properties of volatiles provide unique analytical challenges. Volatiles constitute only a small proportion of the total number of metabolites produced by living organisms, however, because of their roles as signaling molecules (semiochemicals) both within and between organisms, accurately measuring and determining the roles of these compounds is crucial to an integrated understanding of living systems. This review summarizes recent developments in volatile research from a metabolomics perspective with a focus on the role of recent technical innovation in developing new areas of volatile research and expanding the range of ecological interactions which may be mediated by volatile organic metabolites.
Highlights
Volatile organic compounds comprise a chemically diverse group of organic compounds, generally with a molecular weight in the range of 50–200 Daltons and having appreciable vapor pressure under ambient conditions
Volatiles arise by a variety of biosynthetic routes but principally from amino and fatty acids, and terpene biosynthetic pathways [1] and include a wide range of chemical classes with a range of physical properties from gases at room temperature to higher molecular weight compounds such as skatole and androstenone (Figure 1) which possess sufficient vapor pressure and biological activity to be clearly perceived by humans [3]
This review summarizes recent developments in volatile research from a metabolomics perspective with a focus on the role of recent technical innovations in developing new areas of volatile research and expanding the range of ecological interactions which may be mediated by volatile organic metabolites
Summary
Volatile organic compounds (volatiles) comprise a chemically diverse group of organic compounds, generally with a molecular weight in the range of 50–200 Daltons and having appreciable vapor pressure under ambient conditions. These compounds occur at a wide range of concentrations and include ubiquitous hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds such as the xylenes and monoterpenes such as α-pinene, to trace amounts of insect pheromones and important flavor compounds detectable by humans at below part per trillion (ppt) levels Their high vapor pressure and low molecular weight means volatiles can readily diffuse through the gas phase and within biological systems and can serve as signaling molecules (semiochemicals) passing information both within and between organisms, functioning as hormones or in the identification of food, mates, co-specifics, competitors, predators or suitable habitat [1,2].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
