Plant–plant–plant communications,mediated by (E)-β-ocimene emitted from transgenic tobacco plants,prime indirect defense responses of lima beans

Some volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), such as terpenes, are responsible for communication between plants. We assessed the priming of defense responses in lima bean by exposing the plants to transgenic-plant-volatiles [(E)-β-ocimene] emitted from transgenic tobacco plants (NtOS2). As it was previously shown that the first receiver lima bean plants, which were infested with spider mites after having been exposed to (E)-β-ocimene from NtOS2, were highly induced to emit VOCs, we analyzed the VOCs emitted from a second set of receiver plants (second receiver plants) exposed to the infested, first receiver plants. In response to feeding by spider mites, two homoterpenes [(E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene] were more highly emitted from the second receiver plants in response to spider mite attack, in comparison to the levels emitted from plants that had been placed near infested, wild-type (WT)-volatile-exposed plants. These data suggest that transgenic-plant-volatile-mediated, multiple-plant communication can function in plant defenses.     

鞭角华扁叶蜂对自然生境柏木挥发物释放的影响

植物挥发物（Volatile organic compounds;VOCs）在植物抵御害虫侵袭的过程中具有重要作用。本研究以重庆市云阳县长江林场人工林中健康和受害柏木为研究对象,通过VOCs测定分析发现鞭角华扁叶蜂虫害发生之前,两种柏木共计有37种VOCs成分,主要为萜类化合物,其次为醇、酯、醛、烷烃等类化合物;其中健康柏木特有驱赶作用的2-莰醇（龙脑）,受害柏木特有吸引作用的顺式-2-癸烯醛,其余35种为共有成分;各成分浓度在两种柏木中存在较大差异。虫害发生之后,两种柏木共计有32种VOCs成分,而2-莰醇、顺式-2-癸烯醛、薄荷醇、臭樟脑和α-石竹烯等5种成分消失;许多成分的浓度变化趋势与虫害发生前的相反。结果表明健康与受害柏木VOCs释放的差异可能是柏木能否抵御鞭角华扁叶蜂侵害的主要防御机制之一,这将为优良抗虫柏木选育提供理论依据和参考指标。     

受害兴安落叶松挥发物混合物对林间昆虫的诱集

植株释放的挥发物能够调节寄主、害虫及天敌三者关系,是植物与害虫协同进化的产物。兴安落叶松挥发物种类虽已确定,但这些物质,特别是受害植株所释放的挥发物对林间昆虫的影响尚不清楚。本研究在3种林龄林分内设置携带受害兴安落叶松枝叶挥发物的诱捕器以考察其对林间昆虫的影响。结果表明挥发物混合物对昆虫诱集效果良好,特别是对天牛类及叶甲类。林龄并未对挥发物的引诱效果造成显著影响,可能与本研究年龄组的划分标准有关。文章指出应将诱集昆虫群落进一步细化,并对关键种或类群进行电生理方面的深入探讨。本文也指出了受害兴安落叶松挥发物混合物发展为植物源农药的前景。     

Enhanced emissions of floral volatiles by Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) in response to folivory and florivory by Pieris brassicae (L.)

The main function of floral emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in entomophilous plants is to attract pollinators. Floral blends, however, can also contain volatile compounds with defensive functions. These defensive volatiles are specifically emitted when plants are attacked by pathogens or herbivores. We characterized the changes in the floral emissions of Diplotaxis erucoides induced by folivory and florivory by Pieris brassicae. Plants were continually subjected to folivory, florivory and folivory + florivory treatments for two days. We measured floral emissions with proton transfer reaction/mass spectroscopy (PTR-MS) at different times during the application of the treatments. The emissions of methanol, ethyl acetate and another compound, likely 3-butenenitrile, increased significantly in response to florivory. Methanol and 3-butenenitrile increased 2.4- and 26-fold, respectively, in response to the florivory treatment. Methanol, 3-butenenitrile and ethyl acetate increased 3-, 100- and 9-fold, respectively, in response to the folivory + florivory treatment. Folivory alone had no detectable effect on floral emissions. All VOC emissions began immediately after attack, with no evidence of delayed induction in any of the treatments. Folivory and florivory had a synergistic effect when applied together, which strengthened the defensive response when the attack was extended to the entire plant.     

植物源VOCs及其对陆地生态系统碳循环的贡献

综述了近20a来国内外关于植物源VOCs的研究进展。分析了植物源VOCs主要组成成分、生理-生态基础,以及影响植物VOCs释放速率的主要因素。重点探讨了植物源VOCs对陆地生态系统碳循环的潜在重要性,提出一些值得关注的问题。     

A systematic selection of the non-aqueous phase in a bacterial two liquid phase bioreactor treating α-pinene

A systematic evaluation of the selection criteria of non-aqueous phases in two liquid phase bioreactors (TLPBs), also named two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs), was carried out using the biodegradation of α-pinene by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 11671 as a model process. A preliminary solvent screening was thus carried out among the most common non-aqueous phases reported in literature for volatile organic contaminants biodegradation in TLPBs: silicon oil, paraffin oil, hexadecane, diethyl sebacate, dibutyl-phtalate, FC 40, 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane (HMS), and 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane (HMN). FC 40, silicone oil, HMS, and HMN were first selected based on its biocompatibility, resistance to microbial attack, and α-pinene mass transport characteristics. FC 40, HMS, HMN, and silicone oil at 10% (v/v) enhanced α-pinene mass transport from the gas to the liquid phase by a factor of 3.8, 14.8, 11.4, and 8.6, respectively, compared to a single-phase aqueous system. FC 40 and HMN were finally compared for their ability to enhance α-pinene biodegradation in a mechanically agitated bioreactor. The use of FC 40 or HMN (both at 10% v/v) sustained non-steady state removal efficiencies (RE) and elimination capacities (EC) approximately 7 and 12 times higher than those achieved in the system without an organic phase, respectively. In addition, preliminary results showed that P fluorescens could uptake and mineralize α-pinene directly from the non aqueous phase.     

A study on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by tropical ascomycetous yeasts

As a part of a program aiming at the selection of strains which might be of interest as sources of natural flavouring molecules, the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 98 ascomycetous yeast strains (representative of 40 species belonging to 12 genera) isolated from tropical environments was investigated. Volatiles produced were sampled by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and the compounds were analysed and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). The VOCs produced were found to be alcohols (amyl alcohol and isoamyl alcohol), aldehydes (2-methyl-2-hexenal and 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal) and esters (ethyl isobutyrate, isobutyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate, ethyl isovalerate, isoamyl propionate and phenylmethyl acetate). Differences in VOC profiles were used to cluster the yeast strains into 25 VOC phenotypes. The different frequency of VOC phenotypes in three specific habitats was correlated to the divergent environmental conditions, possibly affecting the selection of specific yeasts. From a biotechnological viewpoint, this study reveals the potentiality of ascomycetous yeasts isolated from tropical environments as a promising source of VOCs relevant in food and fragrance industry. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of plant VOCs and light intensity on growth and reproduction performance of an invasive and a native Phytolacca species in China

Invasive plants often pose great threats to the growth of co‐occurring native plant species. Identifying environmental factors that facilitate exotic plant invasion and native species decline are important. In this study, we measured the effects of plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs), light intensity, and their interactions on the growth and reproduction performance of indigenous Phytolacca acinosa, and invasive Phytolacca americana, which has largely replaced the former in China. VOCs of invasive P. americana and low light levels both had negative effects on P. acinosa morphological and reproductive traits (stem length, average leaf number, total number, and length of racemes), and biomass allocation (total biomass, and leaf and flower mass fraction); low light also affected photosynthesis‐related trait (specific leaf area) of P. acinosa. In contrast, VOCs of P. acinosa had no significant effect on P. americana, but low light levels adversely affected its morphological and reproductive traits (stem length, total number, and length of racemes) and biomass allocation (total biomass, stem, and leaf mass fraction). Interactions between plant VOCs and light intensity had no significant effects on P. acinosa or P. americana. Under all experimental treatments, stem length, average leaf area, total number, and length of racemes, Root/Shoot ratio, root and flower mass fraction of P. americana were higher than those of P. acinosa, while average leaf number, specific leaf area, and leaf mass fraction was lower. These results indicated that P. acinosa was sensitive to P. americana VOCs and low light, which might affect the growth of sympatric P. acinosa. P. americana was negatively influenced by low light, but higher plant height and more reproductive organ resource allocation relative to sympatric P. acinosa might contribute to invasion success.     

Tour of Truffles: Aromas,Aphrodisiacs, Adaptogens,and More

Truffles are the fruiting bodies of ascomycete fungi that form underground. Truffles are globally valued, culturally celebrated as aphrodisiacs, and highly sought-after delicacies in the culinary world. For centuries, naturalists have speculated about their mode of formation, and in cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, many species have been prized as a delectable food source. Truffle fruiting bodies form underground and emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Truffle volatiles are believed to have evolved to attract animals that disperse their spores. The main VOCs identified from truffles include sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS); in addition, 1-octen-3-ol and 2-methyl-1-propanol have been found in most truffle species. Humans use pigs and dogs trained to detect truffle VOCs in order to find these prized subterranean macrofungi. Truffles have pharmacological potential, but until more reliable cultivation methods become available their high price means they are unlikely to see widespread use as medicinals.