Analytical approaches for volatile organic compounds to understand plant communication

Abstract

Plants use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as one of several signaling mechanisms to interact with each other and their environment. These chemical messages play a vital role in plant survival, influencing stress responses, defense mechanisms, and interactions with other organisms. However, the precise chemical composition and functional diversity of these volatile blends remain largely unknown. Metabolomic profiling through advanced analytical techniques based on chromatography hyphened to mass spectrometry has become a powerful approach for deciphering this complex chemical dialogue. Choosing the correct methodology is critical for conducting a successful analysis and this review aims to bridge the gap in our understanding by critically analyzing the main factors influencing VOCs analysis. Additionally, we will explore the strengths and limitations of different sampling methodologies, focusing on their effectiveness in profiling complex VOCs mixtures. By optimizing VOCs analytical methodologies, we can improve our understanding of plant-plant communication and stress responses, which may contribute to insights into ecosystems functioning and potential resilience under environmental change.