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Direct analysis of volatile organic compounds produced by fungi.

A gas chromatographic head-space technique has been developed for the analysis of volatile organic compounds produced by fungi. The method described is useful for establishing the pattern of volatile compounds emitted by an organism and for following the time course of production of volatile metabolites. Many of these volatile products are physiologically active and influence the growth and development of the same or other organisms.

Alcohols

Determining volatile organic compounds in human blood from a large sample population by using purge and trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major public health concern, because of their ubiquitous nature and the possible health effects associated with exposure to them. An analytical method has been developed that enabled the determination of parts per trillion levels of 32 VOCs in 10 mL of blood. Special efforts toward reducing blank levels and improving measurement sensitivity have resulted in an analytical method that shows excellent reproducibility and recovery even at these ultratrace levels. Results on normal human blood indicate that quantifiable levels of eleven VOCs can be found in virtually all whole blood samples. In a fraction of the samples, six other VOCs can also be determined at levels above detection limits. This method shows promise as a technique for estimating the normal baseline level of VOCs in human blood and may have future applications in cases of exposure.

Blood Chemical Analysis

High-resolution gas chromatographic profiles of volatile organic compounds produced by microorganisms at refrigerated temperatures.

Three different strains of bacteria isolated from spoiled, uncooked chicken were grown in pure culture on Trypticase soy agar supplemented with yeast extract. The volatile organic compounds produced by each culture were concentrated on a porous polymer precolumn and analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatographic mass spectrometry. Twenty different compounds were identified. Both qualitative and quantitative differences in the chromatographic profiles from each culture were found.

Animals

[Retention of volatile organic compounds in a freeze-dried model food gel (author's transl)].

In this work the results obtained during freeze-drying of a food model gel are reported. The model system was constituted by 12,5% sucrose, 2,5% pectin and five organic volatile substances: acetone, ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol and n-propanol. In particular, it was studied the effect of granulation and the effect of frozen material thickness on retention of volatiles. Other experiments were made to study volatiles distribution inside the freeze-dried materials; the stripping action of warm air and of water vapor flux through the freeze-dried layers, and eventually the holding capacity of dried layers to "capture" the volatiles. All the data suggested a theory about the different mechanisms which influence the retention and the remotion of volatiles during freeze-drying of foods.

Food Preservation

Human activities as sources of volatile organic compounds in residential environments.

The objectives of the present work were to investigate techniques for the continuous, qualitative monitoring of VOCs and to see how VOC levels were influenced by normal household activities. Three different methods were investigated to measure the VOC levels: infrared spectroscopy, photoionization detection, and gas chromatographic analysis of absorbent tube samples. Results were presented that related changes in levels of VOCs to various human activities commonly occurring in residences, and data were presented that indicated activities such as cooking, arts and crafts, cleaning floors, and painting contributed to short-term increases in VOC levels. VOC levels were diminished by turning on the air conditioner. Results on the effect of humidity on VOCs, both in homes and controlled chambers, were reported.

Air Conditioning

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of volatile organic compounds in an urban atmosphere.

Polysorbimide and carbochrome, new sorbents with high temperature stability, have been used to concentrate trace amounts of atmospheric pollutants, and 136 C1-C13 organic compounds, including 126 hydrocarbons, 6 oxygen derivatives and 3 chlorides, were identified in air samples collected in the streets of Leningrad. One of the major features of the composition of the organic constituents of the urban air sampled is the presence of a number of CnH2n hydrocarbons (mainly olefins), and also CnH2n-2 and CnH2n-4 unsaturated hydrocarbons (including alpha-pinene and camphene). A comparison of the results with those of similar studies carried out on air samples from Zürich, Houston and Paris is of considerable interest in connection with the possible effect of geographical factors on the composition and lifetime of organic pollutants in the atmosphere.

Air Pollutants

Exposure of humans to a volatile organic mixture. I. Behavioral assessment.

Exposure to a low-level mixture of volatile organic compounds, typical of those found in new buildings, has been reported to impair neurobehavioral function in persons who have experienced sick building syndrome (SBS). Sixty-six healthy young males who had no history of chemical sensitivity were exposed for 2.75 h to a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds at 0 and 25 mg/m3. Even though subjects reported more fatigue and more mental confusion following exposure to volatile organic compounds than to clean air, performance on 13 neurobehavioral tests was not affected. Practice or learning effects were observed if administration of many behavioral tests were repeated. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship of exposure to volatile organic chemicals, neurobehavioral performance, and subject characteristics, e.g., age, gender, and chemical sensitivity.

Adolescent

Intake system using glass ampoules for gas chromatographic analysis of volatile compounds of biological origin.

A gas chromatographic intake system using 1 ml glass ampoules is described. Examples of analyses of gases and volatile organic compounds produced by soil and soil organisms incubated in the ampoules are given. The gas chromatographic system was used to analyze permanent gases produced by germinating Fusarium conidia and by an agricultural soil as well as to study the respiration of Panagrellus nematodes. A comparison of the gas chromatograms of volatile organic compounds present in a beech forest soil and an agricultural soil indicates that the chromatograms represent "finger prints" of the two soils. Results obtained with the intake system described are compared to those obtained using a conventional head space technique.

Chromatography, Gas

Insights into dill (Anethum graveolens) flavor formation via integrative analysis of chromosomal-scale genome, metabolome and transcriptome.

INTRODUCTION: Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a significant medicinal herb belonging to the Apiaceae family. Owing to its high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dill is commonly utilized for essential oil extraction and medicine purpose. However, the biosynthesis of the crucial VOC in dill remains obscure. OBJECTIVES: Identify the key VOCs related to the flavor formation in dill and dissect the regulatory mechanism of their synthesis. METHODS: The dill chromosomal-level genome was constructed by PacBio HiFi, Hi-C, and BGISEQ second generation sequencing and assembly. The VOCs in dill leaves were identified through GC-MS. The potential mechanism involved in regulating the VOC accumulation in dill flavor formation was analyzed by multi-omics analysis. RESULTS: A 1.17 Gb chromosome-scale genome of dill with a contig N50 of 10.78 Mb was constructed. A total of 46,538 genes were annotated across 11 assembled chromosomes. Comparative genomics analysis suggested that transposable element insertions, especially LTR-Gypsy, have contributed to the evolution and expansion of the dill genome. The flavor formation of dill was mainly attributed to terpenoids, especially α-phellandrene, β-ocimene, and o-cymene. The contribution of expansion and replication of terpenoid synthesis pathway genes, especially terpene synthase (TPS), to the abundant terpenoid production of dill was identified. Differential gene expression patterns observed at various developmental stages and tissues provided key candidate genes for the regulation of terpenoid synthesis, as well as transcription factors. The different accumulation of esters and aromatics also affected the flavor formation of dill. The key genes implicated in the synthesis of anethole, namely AIS and AMT were further identified. CONCLUSION: This study constructed the chromosome level genome and identified the main VOCs and related key genes in flavor formation of dill, shedding lights on our understanding of terpenoid biosynthesis but also offered guidance for future genetic research on molecular breeding in Anethum graveolens.

Transcriptome

Integrated assessment of biocontrol potential and genome analysis of endophytic Bacillus velezensis MGL-B1 against mango stem-end rot.

Mango stem-end rot is a globally significant postharvest disease that severely threatens the mango industry, primarily caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea. However, information on biocontrol agents targeting this pathogen in mango remains limited. In this study, we isolated and identified a strain of Bacillus velezensis MGL-B1 from mango leaf tissues for the first time, which exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that MGL-B1 effectively inhibited the growth of B. dothidea, with an in vivo biocontrol efficacy reaching 83.72 ± 5.10%, comparable to that of the commonly used chemical fungicide thiabendazole. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that MGL-B1 acts by directly disrupting the integrity of the pathogen's mycelial cell membrane. In addition, its released volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also displayed significant antifungal activity, with components such as 2-nonanone, 2-nonanol, and phenylethyl alcohol being confirmed to exert antifungal effects in in vitro fumigation assays. qPCR analysis showed that MGL-B1 treatment significantly upregulated the transcriptional levels of genes involved in plant-pathogen interaction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and antioxidant defense pathways in mango fruits, with upregulation folds of 16.32, 37.19, and 75.93, respectively; meanwhile, the expression of browning-related genes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was markedly suppressed. Whole-genome sequencing further revealed 14 biosynthetic gene clusters for antimicrobial compounds, including five unknown gene clusters. Collectively, B. velezensis MGL-B1 represents a promising biocandidate strain with multiple antifungal mechanisms and excellent control efficacy, providing a valuable resource for green and sustainable management of mango diseases.

Mangifera

Multi-omics characterization of flavor profile differences in the Longissimus thoracis between Angus and Hereford cattle.

BACKGROUND: Angus and Hereford cattle are premier breeds widely used in genetic improvement and crossbreeding programs to enhance meat quality, yet the flavor differences between them remain poorly understood. RESULTS: In this study, we performed an integrated analysis using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS)-based volatile metabolomics, lipidomics, and untargeted metabolomics to characterize the flavor profiles of the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle from both breeds and to identify potential precursor substances underlying flavor formation. In total, we identified 76 differential volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among the 493 candidate VOCs. By combing relative odor activity value (ROAV) and sensory attribute annotation, 2,3-butanedione which may contribute to the creamy aroma was revealed as the core differential VOC between the two breeds. This finding was robustly validated across SHAP (Shapley additive explanations) analysis, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment, and flavor annotation. Lipidomic analysis revealed 689 differential lipids primarily belonging to classes such as phosphatidylcholine, triglycerides, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Correlation analysis further linked these lipid profiles to flavor, showing that fatty acids (FAs) including FA(19:0), FA(18:2 + O), FA(14:1), FA(16:1), and FA(14:0) were significantly correlated with 2,3-butanedione. Notably, the unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in the Longissimus thoracis (LT) of Hereford cattle exhibited higher double bond content compared to Angus cattle, suggesting a greater potential for rich flavor development. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that nine of the 9474 metabolites were significantly correlated with both 2,3-butanedione and FAs, including norepinephrine, l-beta-aspartyl-l-leucine, and artemetin. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our research has identified differential flavor compounds and potential precursor substances between Angus cattle and Hereford cattle, providing targeted guidance for breed improvement. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

2,3‐butanedione

Three-dimensional source apportionment and quantitative characterization of horizontal and vertical transport fluxes of O3 and its precursors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China.

Persistent surface ozone (O3) pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region is driven by coupled precursor emissions and multi-scale transport, yet its altitude-dependent transport and source contributions remain insufficiently quantified. Here we integrated the Weather Research and Forecasting and the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions with the Ozone Source Apportionment Technology and a quantitative transport-flux framework to characterize three-dimensional source apportionment and horizontal/vertical fluxes of O3, Volatile Organic Compounds‌ (VOCs), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) across dynamic meteorological scenarios. Simulations showed that VOCs and NOx were dominated by local emissions near the surface (73.61 %-82.18 %), whereas surface O3 was primarily controlled by regional transport, with local contributions of only 11.01 %-13.75 %. Notably, the transport dominance further strengthened with altitude, exceeding 93 % at 1.8 km. Industrial and transportation emissions together contributed more than 75 % of precursor emissions and account for approximately 80 % of O3 formation, while favorable/unfavorable meteorological years modulated long-range transport efficiency and the vertical distribution of contributions. Horizontal flux analysis highlighted three major pathways (Northwest-Southeast, Southeast-Northwest, and Southwest-Northeast), with Shijiazhuang serving as a critical pollutant "sink" across altitude layers. Vertical fluxes revealed an altitude transition near 600 m: net downward transport dominated below 600 m, whereas enhanced summer convection promoted upward transport above 600 m. These results support altitude-dependent, scenario-specific strategies for coordinated regional O3 mitigation in the BTH region.

Ozone

Exploring the associations between preen oil bacterial, chemical and proteomic profiles of passerines.

Preen gland bacteria are thought to be the key producers of preen oil components such as chemosignalling molecules including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and antimicrobial compounds including peptides and antimicrobial VOCs. However, data on the preen oil bacteriome and chemical composition are limited to a small subset of bird species, and the presence of antimicrobial peptides is largely unexplored. Here, we performed an exploratory study to characterize, for the first time, the preen oil chemical and proteomic profiles and to explore the possible contribution of the bacteriome to the production of preen oil VOCs and antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins) in eight passerine species, each represented by a single individual. Preen oil bacteriome, chemical and proteomic profiles varied among birds. The bacterial profiles were dominated by the genera Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Corynebacterium and Cutibacterium. The chemical profiles mainly consisted of alcohols, ketones and carboxylic acids. The biological functions primarily associated with the proteomic profiles were proteolysis and response to oxidative stress. Although we were unable to explore a direct association between the bacteriome and chemical profiles, the preen oil contained bacteriocin- and VOC-producing bacterial genera capable of producing detected microbially-derived VOCs (mVOCs), the relative abundance of which varied between birds. Riparian species showed the highest chemical diversity and high abundances of putative preen oil mVOC-producing bacteria, which could suggest habitat-specific adaptations. This exploratory study may significantly contribute to the formulation of hypotheses on the potential role of host ecological factors in the variation of preen oil bacterial, chemical and proteomic profiles in passerines.

Animals

[The two ozone problems: too much in the troposphere, too little in the stratosphere].

Trends analysis based on the long-term Swiss ozone measurements from Arosa and Payerne operationally performed by the Swiss Meteorological Institute are presented. These measurement include stratospheric ozone (approximately 90% of total ozone) and tropospheric ozone. The total ozone measurements from Arosa, the world longest series started at 1926, indicate, that total ozone has declined since about 1970 by approximately 5%. The ozone balloon soundings, operationally performed at Payerne since 1969 (2-3 ascents per week) show, that stratospheric ozone has decreased strongly in the last 20 years, whereas tropospheric ozone, remarkably has increased during this period. The relative change was strongest in the troposphere (more than 10% per decade, 3-4% increase per year during 1982-1988). However, on an absolute scale, changes in the stratosphere were strongest (relative decrease: 6 to 7% per decade at 20-22 km). The present scientific theories of the two ozone problems are reviewed: stratospheric ozone decrease was caused by the anthropogenic emissions of fluorochlorocarbons and other compounds mainly released from the earth surface. Tropospheric ozone has increased due to photochemical production of mainly anthropogenically emitted nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and CO.

Atmosphere

Trichoderma specialized metabolites in biocontrol: gene-metabolite links, ecological functions, and translational bottlenecks.

Trichoderma spp. produce a diverse repertoire of metabolites with specific activities that contribute to biocontrol through direct antagonism, ecological signalling, and modulation of plant responses. However, current knowledge remains uneven: many metabolites are chemically described, whereas fewer are supported by robust gene-metabolite associations, experimentally validated ecological functions, and realistic translational evidence. Progress in this field will depend less on expanding compound catalogues than on integrating mechanistic, ecological, and translational evidence. This review examines the specialized metabolism of Trichoderma with emphasis on biosynthetic gene clusters, regulatory networks, ecological roles, and biosafety constraints relevant to biocontrol. Major metabolite classes, including polyketides, terpenoids, peptaibols, siderophores, diketopiperazines, and volatile organic compounds, are discussed together with representative case studies for which genetic and functional evidence is available. We further propose a translational framework to distinguish metabolites with mainly descriptive support from those approaching application readiness, based on four criteria: gene-level validation, demonstrated ecological role, manageable biosafety profile, and feasible delivery/stability. This perspective helps explain why metabolite inventories continue to expand faster than field translation. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, genome editing, and formulation science are reshaping how Trichoderma metabolites are prioritized for future development.

Biosafety

Dermal absorption of dilute aqueous chloroform, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene in hairless guinea pigs.

Percutaneous absorption was measured in female hairless guinea pigs dermally exposed for 70 min to very dilute (approximately 10 to 100 ppb) aqueous solutions of 14C-labeled chloroform (CF), trichloroethylene (TCE), or tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in an airtight glass chamber containing no headspace. Similar experiments were conducted using aqueous solutions of TCE at 100,000 ppb. Dermal uptake was estimated by comparing the rate of radiolabel loss from chamber water in systems with and without experimental animals. After each low-concentration dermal-uptake experiment, radiolabel in total urine and feces excreted postexposure was measured and expressed as a fraction of corresponding estimated dermal uptake. For each of the compounds studied, the mean value of these fractions did not differ significantly from that obtained using animals injected with a known dose of that compound, indicating that our experimental system yielded accurate dermal-uptake estimates. The mean permeability coefficients obtained range from 0.13 cm/hr (CF) to 0.37 cm/hr (PCE); those obtained using low- vs high-concentration TCE are not significantly different. The value for CF is very close to one we calculate here from recently published data on CF uptake in human volunteers dermally exposed to aqueous CF while showering with normal tap water. Our results suggest that dermal absorption may be an important route of human exposure to chlorinated volatile organic compounds in domestic water supplies.

Animals