Analytical strategies for in-vivo evaluation of plant volatile emissions - A review

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are metabolites emitted by living plants that have a fundamental ecological role since they influence atmospheric chemistry, plant communication and pollinator/herbivore behaviour, human activities. Over the years, several strategies been developed to isolate identify them, take advantage of their activity. The main techniques used for in-vivo analyses include dynamic headspace (D-HS), static (S-HS) and, more recently, direct contact (DC) methods in association with gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry (MS). aim this review is provide insight into characterisation emissions focus on sampling, analysis possible applications. This first provides critical discussion challenges associated conventional approaches limitations advantages. Then, it describes series applications volatilomic studies enhance how information impact our knowledge including effects abiotic (damage, flooding, climate) biotic (insect feeding) stress factors relation plants.