Accurate and robust method for plant volatilome analysis by GC-MS
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Plants continuously release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to distinct chemical classes, which are involved in various biological and ecological functions. Furthermore, the VOC profile contributes to the organoleptic properties of plants, influencing their commercial value in the food markets. The composition of VOCs varies with the species, the phenology and can also vary in response to different stimuli to which the plant is subjected, leading to the emission of different molecules or very subtle variations of concentration, resulting in a great variability in the collected samples. Consequently, the sample collection method and analysis must be robust and reliable, to minimize the uncertainty that affects the results. Gas-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is currently regarded as the gold standard for identifying and quantifying molecules in this type of samples, due to its high sensitivity and selectivity; for this reason, this work proposes a quantitative GC-MS method, optimized and validated following the AOAC Guidelines for fifteen VOCs typically present in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato plant). The validated method has been then applied to the study of real tomato plants volatilome collected with a tailored setup. The analytes were then eluted through solvent desorption before GC-MS analysis. The method developed in this study serves as a highly reliable analytical tool for characterizing plant volatilome. By integrating optimized protocols for GC-MS with meticulous validation processes, this approach enhances our ability to investigate plant secondary metabolism and its ecological significance.
Source: Talanta Open
Authors: Marysol Ferretti, Giuseppe Spiezia, Mariachiara Lo Scalzo, Valeria Todeschini, Guido Lingua, Eleonora Conterosito, Emilio Guerrieri, Valentina Gianotti
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,190
OpenAlex ID: W4415199698