Volatile Organic Compounds

Halitosis is an unpleasant condition that may be the origin of concern not only for a possible health condition but also for frequent psychological alterations which may lead to social and personal isolation. The most frequent sources of halitosis that exist in the oral cavity include bacterial reservoirs such as the dorsum of the tongue, saliva and periodontal pockets. Volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) are the prominent elements of oral malodour. Genuine halitosis and pseudo-halitosis should be in the treatment realm of dental practitioners. Clinical Relevance: Halitosis can be a symptom of underlying systemic disease, therefore the exact diagnosis and its source (oral or non-oral) is important in the proper approach to its management.

Static headspace (HS) sampling has been commonly used to test for volatile organic chemicals, usually referred to as residual solvents (RS) in pharmaceuticals. If the sample is not soluble in water, organic solvents are used. However, these seriously reduce the sensitivity in the determination of some RS. Here, mixed aqueous dilution media (a mixture of water and an organic solvent like dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethyl acetamide) were studied as alternative media for static HS-gas chromatographic analysis. Although it has been known that mixed aqueous dilution media can often improve sensitivity for many RS, this study used a systematic approach to investigate phase volumes and the organic content in the HS sampling media. Reference solutions using 18 different class 1, 2 and 3 RS were evaluated. The effect of salt addition was also studied in this work. A significant increase in the peak area was observed for all RS using mixed aqueous dilution media, when compared with organic solvents alone. Matrix effects related to the mixed aqueous dilution media were also investigated and reported. Repeatability and linearity obtained with mixed aqueous dilution media were found to be similar to those observed with pure organic solvents.

BACKGROUND: Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Mill spp. chiloensis form chiloensis, is a strawberry that produces white fruits with unique aromas. This species, endemic to Chile, is one of the progenitors of Fragaria x ananassa Duch. In order to identify the volatile compounds that might be responsible for aroma, these were extracted, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and compared with sensory analyses. RESULTS: Three methods of extraction were used: solvent-assisted evaporation (SAFE), headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Ninety-nine volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS, of which 75 showed odor activity using GC-O. Based on the highest dilution factor (FD = 1000) and GC-O intensity ≥2, we determined 20 major compounds in white strawberry fruit that contribute to its aroma. We chose 51 compounds to be tested against their commercial standards. The identities were confirmed by comparison of their linear retention indices against the commercial standards. The aroma of white strawberry fruits was reconstituted with a synthetic mixture of most of these compounds. CONCLUSION: The volatile profile of white strawberry fruit described as fruity, green-fresh, floral, caramel, sweet, nutty and woody will be a useful reference for future strawberry breeding programs.

Transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants that overexpress the Prosystemin gene (35S::PS) and plants with a mutation in the JA biosynthetic pathway (def1) are known to exhibit a constitutive or reduced wound response, respectively. Here it is demonstrated that several independent 35S::PS lines emit high levels of specific volatiles in addition to increased accumulation of proteinase inhibitors (PIs). Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of systemically induced volatile compounds including green-leaf volatiles, terpenes, and shikimic acid-derivatives from 35S::PS and def1 plants in response to herbivore wounding and treatment with jasmonic acid (JA) are described. Application of JA induced defense protein accumulation and volatile emissions in wild type plants, but did not further increase systemic volatile emissions from 35S::PS plants. Wounding by Manduca sexta larvae induced synthesis of defense proteins and emission of volatiles in wild type plants, but not in def1 plants. Application of jasmonic acid restored the local and systemic accumulation of defense proteins in def1, as well as enhanced herbivore-induced volatile emissions. These results provide strong support for the role of prosysteminand JA-signaling in the regulation of volatile emissions in tomato plants.

Optimum growth temperature rpb2 28S rRNA tub1 Volatile metabolites a b s t r a c t The fungal genus Muscodor was erected on the basis of Muscodor albus, an endophytic fungus originally isolated from Cinnamomum zeylanicum. It produces a mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with antimicrobial activity that can be used as mycofumigants.

This study aimed to investigate the salivary microbiota and metabolome of 13 children with celiac disease (CD) under a glutenfree diet (treated celiac disease [T-CD]). The same number of healthy children (HC) was used as controls. The salivary microbiota was analyzed by an integrated approach using culture-dependent and -independent methods. Metabolome analysis was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-solid-phase microextraction. Compared to HC, the number of some cultivable bacterial groups (e.g., total anaerobes) significantly (P < 0.05) differed in the saliva samples of the T-CD children. As shown by community-level catabolic profiles, the highest Shannon's diversity and substrate richness were found in HC. Pyrosequencing data showed the highest richness estimator and diversity index values for HC. Levels of Lachnospiraceae, Gemellaceae, and Streptococcus sanguinis were highest for the T-CD children. Streptococcus thermophilus levels were markedly decreased in T-CD children. The saliva of T-CD children showed the largest amount of Bacteroidetes (e.g., Porphyromonas sp., Porphyromonas endodontalis, and Prevotella nanceiensis), together with the smallest amount of Actinobacteria. T-CD children were also characterized by decreased levels of some Actinomyces species, Atopobium species, and Corynebacterium durum. Rothia mucilaginosa was the only Actinobacteria species found at the highest level in T-CD children. As shown by multivariate statistical analyses, the levels of organic volatile compounds markedly differentiated T-CD children. Some compounds (e.g., ethyl-acetate, nonanal, and 2-hexanone) were found to be associated with T-CD children. Correlations (false discovery rate [FDR], <0.05) were found between the relative abundances of bacteria and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The findings of this study indicated that CD is associated with oral dysbiosis that could affect the oral metabolome.

The present work is aimed at the study of number-size distribution of particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbonyl compounds (CC) or carbonyls emitted from a 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine equipped with a vanadium-based urea selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The engine was run on an electric dynamometer in accordance with the European steady-state cycle. Pollutants were analyzed using an electric low pressure impactor, a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, and a high performance liquid chromatography system for the number-size distribution of particles, VOCs, and CC emissions, respectively. Experimental results revealed that total number of particles were decreased, and their number-size distributions were moved from smaller sizes to larger sizes in the presence of the catalyst. The VOCs were greatly reduced downstream of the catalyst. There was a strong correlation between the conversion of styrene and ethyl benzene. The conversion rate of benzene increased with increase of catalyst temperature. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein and acetone were significantly reduced, resulting in a remarkable abatement in carbonyls with the use of the vanadium-based urea-SCR system.

Twelve aroma compounds were monitored and quantified by dynamic headspace analysis after their addition in refined olive oil model systems with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) biophenols to simulate EVOO aroma. The influence of polyphenols on aroma release was studied under simulated mouth conditions by using human saliva, and SPME-GC/MS analysis. While few differences were observed in orthonasal assay (without saliva), interesting results were obtained for retronasal aroma. Biophenols caused generally the lowest headspace release of almost all volatile compounds. However, only ethyl esters and linalool concentrations were significantly lower in retronasal than orthonasal assay. Saliva also caused higher concentration of hexanal, probably due to hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) action on linoleyl hydroperoxides. Epicatechin was compared to EVOO phenolics and the behaviour was dramatically different, likely to be due to salivary protein-tannin binding interactions, which influenced aroma headspace release. These results were also confirmed using two extra virgin olive oils.

Chemical analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semivolatiles (SVs), including pesticides, was performed on 623 and 568 samples, respectively, of household drinking water, as well as on 113 samples from 71 brands of bottled water available in Kuwaiti markets. The analysis was performed according to United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) Methods 524.2 and 525.2. Nine VOCs and eight SVs were found in household water. Furthermore, between one and seven of 12 VOCs were detected in 93% of the bottled water brands. All bottled waters were found to be completely free of SVs. Styrene was the main pollutant found in all brands packaged in polystyrene containers of sizes 200-mL and 250-mL, with levels generally higher than the WHO guideline value of 20 microg/L. The levels of styrene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes were found to increase with storage time, which indicates that these VOCs were migrating from the container material. No effect was detected due to changes in the storage temperature. All detected VOCs and SVs in household and bottled waters, except styrene, were found at concentrations much lower than those established as safe by WHO guidelines and US-EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), respectively.

BACKGROUND: The phenolic content, volatile compound fingerprint and antioxidant capacity of Waldheimia glabra (Decne.) Regel (Asteraceae), a wild plant from the Himalayan mountains used in Sherpa religious rituals and in traditional medicine, were determined for the first time to investigate its suitability as a source of natural antioxidants.

Volatile compounds are usually associated with an appearance/presence in the atmosphere. Recent advances, however, indicated that the soil is a huge reservoir and source of biogenic volatile organic compounds (bVOCs), which are formed from decomposing litter and dead organic material or are synthesized by underground living organism or organs and tissues of plants. This review summarizes the scarce available data on the exchange of VOCs between soil and atmosphere and the features of the soil and particle structure allowing diffusion of volatiles in the soil, which is the prerequisite for biological VOC-based interactions. In fact, soil may function either as a sink or as a source of bVOCs. Soil VOC emissions to the atmosphere are often 1-2 (0-3) orders of magnitude lower than those from aboveground vegetation. Microorganisms and the plant root system are the major sources for bVOCs. The current methodology to detect belowground volatiles is described as well as the metabolic capabilities resulting in the wealth of microbial and root VOC emissions. Furthermore, VOC profiles are discussed as non-destructive fingerprints for the detection of organisms. In the last chapter, belowground volatile-based bi-and multitrophic interactions between microorganisms, plants and invertebrates in the soil are discussed.

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Curculionidae: Coleoptera), is not native to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Since its arrival in 1985, it has been causing major damage to date palm trees. A primary control strategy has been the use of pheromone baited traps. The objectives of this study were to determine the quantity of bait, and the best trap color, to obtain the maximum catch of R. ferrugineus under field conditions in the UAE. Traps with 100, 300, or 500 g of dates as bait collected the same number of R. ferrugineus adults. Captures in black traps were significantly higher than captures in red, yellow, or white traps. Thus, using a black pheromone trap containing 100 g of dates can significantly enhance R. ferrugineus control efforts, and can help considerably in reducing the red palm weevil's deleterious impact on date palm production in UAE.

DNA integrity was investigated in the lymphocytes of 50 bus drivers, 20 garagemen and 50 controls using the comet assay with excision repair enzymes. In parallel, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2&#x27;-deoxyguanosine and 15-F(2t)-isoprostane levels in the urine and protein carbonyl levels in the plasma were assessed as markers of oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins. Exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs) and volatile compounds was measured by personal samplers for 48 and 24h, respectively, before the collection of biological specimens. Both exposed groups exhibited a higher levels of DNA instability and oxidative damage to biological macromolecules than the controls. The incidence of oxidized lesions in lymphocyte DNA, but not the urinary levels of 8-oxodG, correlated with exposure to benzene and triglycerides increased this damage. Oxidative damage to lipids and proteins was associated with exposure to cPAHs and the lipid peroxidation levels positively correl...

Excessive volatile acidity in wines is a major problem and is still prevalent because available solutions are nevertheless unsatisfactory, namely, blending the filtersterilized acidic wine with other wines of lower volatile acidity or using reverse osmosis. We have previously explored the use of an empirical biological deacidification procedure to lower the acetic acid content of wines. This winemaker's enological practice, which consists in refermentation associated with acetic acid consumption by yeasts, is performed by mixing the acidic wine with freshly crushed grapes, musts, or marc from a finished wine fermentation. We have shown that the commercial strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae S26 is able to decrease the volatile acidity of acidic wines with a volatile acidity higher than 1.44 gL −1 acetic acid, with no detrimental impact on wine aroma. In this study, we aimed to optimize the immobilization of S26 cells in alginate beads for the bioreduction of volatile acidity of acidic wines. We found that S26 cells immobilized in double-layer alginate-chitosan beads could reduce the volatile acidity of an acidic wine (1.1 gL −1 acetic acid, 12.5 % (v/v) ethanol, pH 3.12) by 28 and 62 % within 72 and 168 h, respectively, associated with a slight decrease in ethanol concentration (0.7 %). Similar volatile acidity removal efficiencies were obtained in medium with high glucose concentration (20 % w/v), indicating that this process may also be useful in the deacidification of grape musts. We, therefore, show that immobilized S. cerevisiae S26 cells in double-layer beads are an efficient alternative to improve the quality of wines with excessive volatile acidity.

The selection of separation process of organic compounds is a critical issue in the chemical industry. Different conventional methods, such as coagulation, precipitation, ion exchange, electrodialysis, adsorption, ultrafiltration and liquid-liquid extraction have been used for the separation processes since last so many years, but supported liquid membrane (SLM)-based separation processes have been predicted as a promising option. Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered a new miraculous chemical due their unique properties and large variety of applications in all areas of the chemical sciences. The use of ionic liquids as a liquid membrane phase results in the stabilization of the SLMs due to their negligible vapor pressure, possibility of minimizing their solubility in the surrounding phases and greater capillary force associated with their high viscosity, which can reduce the displacement of liquids from micron pores under pressure. This review article summarizes the role of ionic liquids in supported liquid membrane technology for extraction processes, stability of the membranes and show promise in the liquid/liquid extraction of organics from water, gases, amino acids, toxic metal ions from their aqueous solution and separating isomeric organic compounds. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

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The enantiomer ratios of chiral volatile organic compounds in rapeseed, chestnut, orange, acacia, sunflower and linden honeys were determined by multi-dimensional gas chromatography using solid phase microextraction (SPME) as a sample pre-treatment procedure. Linalool oxides, linalool and hotrienol were present at the highest concentration levels, while significantly lower amounts of a-terpineol, 4-terpineol and all isomers of lilac aldehydes were found in all studied samples. On the other hand, enantiomer distribution of some chiral organic compounds in honey depends on their botanical origin. The significant differences in enantiomer ratio of linalool were observed for rapeseed honey that allows us to distinguish this type of honey from the other ones. The enantiomer ratios of lilac aldehydes were useful for distinguishing of orange and acacia honey from other studied monofloral honeys. Similarly, different enantiomer ratio of 4-terpineol was found for sunflower honeys.

Key attributes of the source zone and the expanding dissolved plume at a trichloroethene (TCE) site in Australia were evaluated using trends in groundwater monitoring data along with data from on-line volatile organic compound (VOC) samplers and passive flux meters (PFMs) deployed in selected wells. These data indicate that: (1) residual TCE source mass in the saturated zone, estimated using two innovative techniques, is small (∼ 10 kg), which is also reflected in small source mass discharge (∼ 3 g/day); (2) the plume is disconnecting, based on TCE concentration contours and TCE fluxes in wells along a longitudinal transect; (3) there is minimal biodegradation, based on TCE mass discharge of ∼ 6 g/day at a plume control plane ∼ 175 m from source, which is also consistent with aerobic geochemical conditions observed in the plume; and (4) residual TCE in the vadose zone provides episodic inputs of TCE mass to the plume during infiltration/recharge events. TCE flux data also suggest that the small residual TCE source mass is present in the low-permeability zones, thus making source treatment difficult. Our analysis, based on a synthesis of the archived data and new data, suggests that source treatment is unwarranted, and that containment of the large TCE plume (∼ 1.2 km long, ∼ 0.3 km wide; 17 m deep; ∼ 2000-2500 kg TCE mass) or institutional controls, along with a long-term flux monitoring program, might be necessary. The flux-based site management approach outlined in this paper provides a novel way of looking beyond the complexities of groundwater contamination in heterogeneous domains, to make intelligent and informed site decisions based on strategic measurement of the appropriate metrics.

Many microorganisms produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with biological effects on plants. In this study, Arabidopsis seeds or 14-day-old vegetative plants were exposed to 0.5 μg/l of chemical standards of 26 VOCs previously identified from the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma. Seven compounds (1-decene, 2-heptylfuran, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1- butanol, 2-heptanone, and 1-octen-3-ol) were further tested at the physiological concentration (10 ng/l) and 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-decene, and 2-heptylfuran induced significant increases in fresh weight and total chlorophyll content. Plants exposed to 1-decene had the greatest increase in plant fresh shoot weight (38.9%) and chlorophyll content (67.8%). An RNA sequencing analysis was performed on plants treated with vapors of 1-decene. The expression of 123 genes was differentially affected, encompassing genes involved in cell wall modification, auxin induction, stress, and defense responses, with several major classes of stress-related genes showing down-regulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the effect of a plant growth promoting VOC on gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. As the role of fungal VOCs in biocontrol moves from correlative studies to more hypothesis driven approaches, our findings can guide both basic and applied studies in agricultural research.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are distinct but clinically overlapping airway disorders which often create diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Current strategies to discriminate these diseases are limited by insensitivity and poor performance due to biologic variability. We tested the hypothesis that a gas chromatograph/differential mobility spectrometer (GC/DMS) sensor could distinguish between clinically well-defined groups with airway disorders based on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) obtained from exhaled breath. After comparing VOC profiles obtained from 13 asthma, 5 COPD and 13 healthy control subjects, we found that VOC profiles distinguished asthma from healthy controls and also a subgroup of asthmatics taking the drug omalizumab from healthy controls. The VOC profiles could not distinguish between COPD and any of the other groups. Our results show a potential application of the GC/DMS for non-invasive and bedside diagnostics of asthma and asthma therapy monitoring. Future studies will focus on larger sample sizes and patient cohorts.

A method described by European Union Regulation (EEC) No. 2000R2870 was validated and supported by GC/MS analysis for the determination of volatile congeners and methanol in Turkish raki. The method was validated in terms of specificity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ, linearity, and robustness. The specificity of the method was demonstrated, and the method showed excellent accuracy (97.5-100.1%). Linearity was checked in the ranges of 0.200-26.390 mg/100 mL for more volatile compounds and 1.155-48.00 mg/100 mL for less volatile compounds, after concentrations found in Turkish raki were taken into account. The calibration curves of all analytes showed good linearity (R 2 > 0.998). The within-and between-day precision (RSD) values of 11 analytes were in the range of 0.18-4.50%. The LOD and LOQ values were in the range of 0.014-0.362 and 0.045-1.085 mg/100 mL, respectively. The method can be used as an absolute quantification method for the determination of volatile congeners and methanol in Turkish raki and for QC.

Bound volatiles are recognised as a potential source of aroma compounds in fruits. In this study, the bound volatiles of Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward' and A. chinensis 'Hort16A' were studied at three different ripening stages. The bound volatile content tended to increase as the fruit ripened from under-ripe to ripe, and then decreased in over-ripe fruit. Glycosides of (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and hexanol (green-note volatiles) were present in considerable amounts. b-Glucosidase activity in 'Hayward' and 'Hort16A' remained fairly constant throughout ripening. GC-olfactometry analysis of the hydrolysates of ripe 'Hayward' and 'Hort16A' revealed the presence of 2-phenylethanol, b-damascenone, vanillin and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF). This is the first report of DMHF in 'Hayward' kiwifruit. For both 'Hayward' and 'Hort16A', the odour-active compounds found in the bound volatile extracts were different from those reported as contributors to the aroma of the ripe fruit, suggesting that bound volatiles are probably not significant contributors to the aroma of ripe kiwifruit.

Composting is widely used for the treatment of solid organic wastes; however, emissions from composting are becoming a threat to humans due to the release of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs from composting operations are characterized by high flow rates and, normally, low pollutant concentration. Typical VOCs include a large amount of terpenes ($65% of total VOCs). This study was to investigate the efficiency of biofiltration in controlling terpene emissions from composting operations using a laboratory-scale unit. The performance of a biofilter was investigated as a function of inlet flow rate, inlet concentration, and bed length/bed diameter (L/D) ratio of bed. At the lowest total inlet flow rate, removal efficiency of limonene and b-pinene was more than 90%. With the decrease in inlet concentration and increase in L/D ratio, the removal efficiency was effectively increased. Removal efficiency of more than 85% for Limonene and 45% for b-Pinene was attained at a loading rate of 55 g/m 3 -hr. The maximum elimination capacity was found for 109.7 g/m 3 -hr for limonene and 10.3 g/m 3 -hr for b-pinene at a critical loading of 150.1 g/m 3 -hr. Based on this study, the compost bed could function as a biofilter for controlling terpene odors during the composting process.

Analysis of plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and essential oils (EOs, collectively called the plant volatilome) is an invaluable technique in plant biology, as it provides the qualitative and quantitative composition of bioactive compounds. From a physiological standpoint, the plant volatilome is involved in some critical processes, namely plant-plant interactions, the signaling between symbiotic organisms, the attraction of pollinating insects, a range of biological activities in mammals, and as an endless source of novel drugs and drug leads. This chapter analyses and discusses the most advanced methods of analysis of the plant volatilome.

Dogs can identify, by olfaction, melanoma on the skin of patients or melanoma samples hidden on healthy subjects, suggesting that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from melanoma differ from those of normal skin. Studies employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas sensors reported that melanoma-related VOCs differed from VOCs from normal skin sources. However, the identities of the VOCs that discriminate melanoma from normal skin were either unknown or likely derived from exogenous sources. We employed solid-phase micro-extraction, GC-MS and single-stranded DNA-coated nanotube (DNACNT) sensors to examine VOCs from melanoma and normal melanocytes. GC-MS revealed dozens of VOCs, but further analyses focused on compounds most likely of endogenous origin. Several compounds differed between cancer and normal cells, e.g., isoamyl alcohol was higher in melanoma cells than in normal melanocytes but isovaleric acid was lower in melanoma cells. These two compounds share the same precursor, viz., leucine. Melanoma cells produce dimethyldi-and trisulfide, compounds not detected in VOCs from normal melanocytes. Furthermore, analyses of the total volatile metabolome from both melanoma cells and normal melanocytes by DNACNT sensors, coupled with the GC-MS results, demonstrate clear differences between these cell systems. Consequently, monitoring of melanoma VOCs has potential as a useful screening methodology.

Aim of the study: Characterization and comparative analysis of the main VOCs (volatile organic compounds) present in the smoke of 11 experimentally combusted plant species used as incense in Shaxi, Southwest China. Substances which may be responsible for the pleasant smell of the smokes as well as substances with a potential pharmacological activity are discussed. Materials and methods: We adopt the dynamic headspace sorption method for the collection of smoke samples as a novel methodological approach in ethnobotany. The VOCs were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis were performed using PASW statistics (Version 18.0.2). Results: Among the identified compounds were 10 monoterpenoids, 7 sesquiterpenoids, 6 linear hydrocarbons, 6 methoxy phenolics, 2 benzenoids, 2 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 2 fatty acids. Based on their volatile profiles, the species are well clustered intraspecifically and separated interspecifically. The most abundant among the compounds potentially responsible for the pleasant smells of the smokes are methyl salicylate (12.28 ± 3.90%) for Gaultheria fragrantissima leaves, ␦-cadinene (15.58 ± 2.29%) for Juniperus squamata wood, and ␣-Pinene for Cupressus funebris branches (9.16 ± 7.73%) and Pistacia weinmanniifolia branches (19.52 ± 8.66%). A couple of substances found are known for pharmacological activity, such as methylsalycilate, beta-caryophyllene and cedrol. Conclusions: The species used by the local people in Shaxi for incense differ clearly with respect to the chemical compounds of their smoke. Further, incense contains substances, which are of pharmacological interest and might support medicinal uses of smoke. Cedrol with its pleasant smell and sedative properties may be an important factor why specific plants are chosen as incense. Our findings support the idea that the effects of the use of incense as well as medicinal smoke depend on both, the cultural as well as the pharmacological context.

The objective of this geographic information systems application for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) risk zone analysis in Rayong province is to study the risk areas and the impacts of the spread of volatile organic compounds in general atmosphere by using the annual average of 12-month statistics with concentration exceeding the standard values set by the Pollution Control Department. In processing with geographic information system estimating VOCs in form of a map showing the distribution by using Inverse distance weighted (IDW), it was found that, in Rayong province, there was the spread of five types of the VOCs i.e. benzene, vinyl chloride, 1,2-dichloro-ethane, chloroform and 1,3-butadiene, with 12-month moving average of concentrations exceeding the standard in general atmosphere. Monitoring was performed at the air quality monitoring points at Map Ta Phut health promoting hospital, Wat Nong Fab school, new Map Ta Phut city station, Ban Phleng community, Ban Takuan health center, Nop Ket village, Ban Nong Chok health promoting hospital and Wat Pluak Ket vicinity. According to the VOCs risk areas assessment, the risks were classified into five levels, i.e. highest, high, moderate, low, and very low. 158 villages of 406, representing 38.92 percent, were found located in the highest risk zone of 4 types of VOCs exceeding the standard.  The risk was classified high and this is a major local problem that needs to be cancerned and monitoring on VOCs danger in the area of Rayong province.

การประยุกต์ระบบสารสนเทศภูมิศาสตร์เพื่อการวิเคราะห์พื้นที่เสี่ยงภัยสารอินทรีย์ระเหยง่าย จังหวัดระยอง มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาพื้นที่เสี่ยงภัยและผลกระทบจากการแพร่กระจายของสารอินทรีย์ระเหยง่าย ในบรรยากาศโดยทั่วไปค่าเฉลี่ยรายปีที่มีค่าความเข้มข้นเกินค่ามาตรฐานที่กำหนดตามประกาศกรมควบคุมมลพิษ โดยใช้ระบบสารสนเทศภูมิศาสตร์ประมาณค่าเชิงพื้นที่ด้วยวิธี inverse distance weighted (IDW) พบว่าในพื้นที่จังหวัดระยองมีการแพร่กระจายของสารอินทรีย์ระเหยง่ายในบรรยากาศทั่วไปค่าเฉลี่ยรายปีที่มีค่าความเข้มข้นเกินค่ามาตรฐานค่าเฉลี่ย 12 เดือน (moving average) ในปี พ.ศ. 2556 จำนวน 5 ชนิด คือ benzene, vinyl chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform และ 1,3-butadiene ณ บริเวณจุดตรวจวัดคุณภาพอากาศ โรงพยาบาลส่งเสริมสุขภาพตำบลมาบตาพุด โรงเรียนวัดหนองแฟบ สถานีเมืองใหม่มาบตาพุด ชุมชนบ้านพลง ศูนย์บริการสาธารณสุขบ้านตากวน หมู่บ้านนพเกตุ โรงพยาบาลส่งเสริมสุขภาพตำบลบ้านหนองจอก และบริเวณวัดปลวกเกตุ ได้มีการจัดระดับพื้นที่ที่มีความเสี่ยงภัยเป็น 5 ระดับ คือ เสี่ยงมากที่สุด เสี่ยงมาก เสี่ยงปานกลาง เสี่ยงน้อย และเสี่ยงน้อยมาก จากการศึกษาพบว่าจำนวนหมู่บ้านที่ได้รับผลกระทบจากการแพร่กระจายของสารอินทรีย์ระเหยง่ายในบรรยากาศโดยทั่วไปในเวลา 1 ปี พบหมู่บ้านอยู่ในขอบเขตพื้นที่เสี่ยงภัยระดับเสี่ยงมากที่สุดจากสารอินทรีย์ระเหยง่ายที่เกินค่ามาตรฐานจำนวน 4 ชนิด 158 หมู่บ้าน คิดเป็นร้อยละ 38.92 ซึ่งเป็นอัตราความเสี่ยงที่สูงและเป็นปัญหาที่สำคัญของหน่วยงานในท้องถิ่นที่ควรให้ความสำคัญและเฝ้าระวังภัยจากสารอินทรีย์ระเหยง่ายในเขตพื้นที่จังหวัดระยอง

North American peppermint oils are widely regarded as some of the most superior peppermint oils commercially available. Amongst them is Yakima double-cut peppermint oil (Mentha piperita L.). It has an aroma described as strong, refreshing, minty, slightly creamy, and very herbaceous with some of the most desirable flavor notes among peppermint oils. The peppermint is grown in the Yakima Valley of Washington State, USA. As one of the most northerly grown peppermints with longer days, it is unique as there are 2 harvests of the mint leaves in one season. For this study, samples of fresh and dried (hay) leaves were collected from both harvests; 1st cut, July and 2nd cut, September. Steam-distilled oils were produced from each harvest and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to give detailed profiles. The aroma and taste sensory attributes of each oil were evaluated. In addition, menthyl formate has previously been reported only once in the literature, but not as definitively as required by current flavor-regulatory bodies for use as a natural flavoring ingredient. It was conclusively reported in these peppermint oils.

Nine accessions of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. and three of Abelmoschus moschatus Medik were both grown in Central Italy for the evaluation of the production of seeds. Furthermore, the volatiles emitted by the mature seeds were sampled by mean of SPME. Seventy compounds were detected in the headspace of the seeds of A. esculentus. The principal constituents common to all the nine accessions were isopentyl 2-methyl butanoate (24.5-59.1%) and heptanoic acid 2-methylbutyl ester (6.6-13.5%). In the headspace around the seeds of A. moschatus 93 components were detected. Among the main volatiles shared by the three accessions, n-tridecane (1.5-26.9%), isopentyl 2-methyl butanoate (0.2-14.3%) and decanal (1.6-5.7%) should be mentioned. Many differences were present in the volatiles emitted by the various accessions and between the two Abelmoschus species.

Humans are continuously exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as these chemicals are ubiquitously present in most indoor and outdoor environments. In order to assess recent exposure to VOCs for population-based studies, VOCs are measured in the blood of participants. This work describes an improved method to detect 12 VOCs by head-space solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography coupled with isotope-dilution mass spectrometry in selected reaction monitoring mode (SPME-GC-MS/MS). This method was applied to the analysis of trihalomethanes, styrene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, o-xylene) in a population-based biomonitoring study (Canadian Health Measures Survey). The method showed good linearity (>0.990) in the range of 0.010-10 g/L and detection limits between 0.007 and 0.027 g/L, precision better than 25% and good accuracy (±25%) based on proficiency testing materials. Quality Control data among runs over a 7 month period showed %RSD between 14 and 25% at low levels (∼0.03 g/L) and between 9 and 23% at high levels (∼0.4 g/L). The method was modified to analyze samples from a pharmacokinetic study in which 5 healthy volunteers were exposed to single, binary and quaternary mixtures of CTEX (chloroform, ethylbenzene, toluene and m-xylene), thus the expected concentration in blood was 1 order of magnitude higher than those found in the general population. The method was modified by reducing the sample size (from 3 g to 0.5 g) and increasing the upper limit of the concentration range to 395 g/L. Good linearity was found in the range of 0.13-395 g/L for toluene and ethylbenzene and 0.20-609 g/L for m/p-xylene. Quality control data among runs over the period of the study (n = 13) were found to vary between 7 and 25%.

Construction products can be a significant source of indoor pollutants, including volatile organic compounds that may be a risk to the health and well-being of building occupants. There are currently a number of schemes for the labelling of products according to their potential to emit organic compounds. Assessment of the complex mixtures of compounds that may be released has mandated the development of test methods that allow the determination of the concentrations of the chemicals released from products in controlled test chamber environments. In response to concerns about the financial burden faced by manufacturers required to test products according to the various different labelling schemes currently in existence, the European Commission has investigated the scope for greater harmonisation. This initiative has sought to harmonise the process for the assessment of emissions data, complementing work led by the European standards organisation focussed on harmonising the test chamb...

The present contribution describes a research work focused on the elucidation of the composition of the headspace of Marsala wine. Four sample-types, of different ageing (''fine'', ''superiore secco'', ''superiore riserva'', ''vergine'') were subjected to headspace solid-phase microextraction-comprehensive 2D GC analysis. At the outlet of the second GC dimension, the eluting analytes were split between a flame ionisation detector (for relative quantification purposes) and a rapid-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer (for compound identification). Over 500 peaks were detected in each application, with a total of 128 compounds tentatively-identified considering the four sample types (mainly esters, alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes). The results attained open a door on the highly complex nature of the Marsala headspace; furthermore, they also demonstrated that the use of one-dimensional GC technologies, for the untargeted analysis of complex aroma profiles (e.g., dessert wines), is often too much of an analytical challenge.

Fumigants and volatile industrial chemicals are particularly hazardous to health when a freight container is fumigated or the contaminated material is introduced into its enclosed environment. Phosphine is now increasingly used as a fumigant, after bromomethane-the former fumigant of choice-has been banned by the Montreal Protocol. We have enhanced our previously established thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) method by integrating a second gas chromatographic dimension and a flame photometric detector to allow the simultaneous detection of phosphine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), providing a novel application. A thermal desorption system is coupled to a two dimensional gas chromatograph using both mass spectrometric and flame photometric detection (TD-2D-GC-MS/FPD). Additionally, the collection of mass spectrometric SIM and Scan data has been synchronised, so only a single analysis is now sufficient for qualitative scanning of the whole sample and for sensitive quantification. Though detection limits for the herewith described method are slightly higher than in the previous method, they are in the low L m −3 range, which is not only below the respective occupational exposure and intervention limits but also allows the detection of residual contamination after ventilation. The method was developed for the separation and identification of 44 volatile substances. For 12 of these compounds (bromomethane, iodomethane, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichlorethane, benzene, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, toluene, trichloronitromethane, ethyl benzene, phosphine, carbon disulfide) the method was validated as we chose the target compounds due to their relevance in freight container handling.

Sixteen different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus were evaluated in the production of raspberry fruit wine. Raspberry juice sugar concentrations were adjusted to 16°Brix with a sucrose solution, and batch fermentations were performed at 22°C. Various kinetic parameters, such as the conversion factors of the substrates into ethanol (Yp/s), biomass (Yx/s), glycerol (Yg/s) and acetic acid (Yac/s), the

In this work we characterised Negroamaro red wines, made by an autochthonous cultivar of Southern Italy, by linking volatile composition to aroma properties. This linking was carried out by picturing ''Aroma Wheels'', built by Odour Activity Values (OAVs) of all the identified volatile compounds grouped in ''aromatic series'' belonging to 13 classes of sensory descriptors. The 18 most active odorants with OAV > 1 were mainly alcohols, fatty acids and their ethyl esters. The ''OAVs' Aroma Wheels'' showed that the classes of sensory descriptors are first fruity and floral, next fatty and pungent and minor nutty and caramelised notes. Principal Component Analysis displayed correlations between sensory descriptors and wine samples; the main 7-fruity and 5-floral sensory features of Negroamaro wines have negative values of PC1 and they are negatively correlated with the second main sensory feature, i.e. 13-fatty, falling at positive value of PC1; this fit the aroma perception of this varietal.

Chocolate production suffered a vast impact with the emergence of the &quot;witches&#39; broom&quot; disease in cocoa plants. To recover cocoa production, many disease-resistant hybrid plants have been developed. However, some different cocoa hybrids produce cocoa beans that generate chocolate with variable quality. Fermentation of cocoa beans is a microbiological process that can be applied for the production of chocolate flavor precursors, leading to overcoming the problem of variable chocolate quality. The aim of this work was to use a cocktail of microorganisms as a starter culture on the fermentation of the ripe cocoa pods from PH15 cocoa hybrid, and evaluate its influence on the microbial communities present on the fermentative process on the compounds involved during the fermentation, and to perform the chocolate sensorial characterization. According to the results obtained, different volatile compounds were identified in fermented beans and in the chocolate produced. Bittern...

Application of solid-phase microextraction and simultaneous distillation-extraction combined with GC-FID, GC-MS, aroma extract dilution analysis, and odour activity value were used to analyse volatile compounds from papaya fruit cv. Red Maradol and to estimate the most odour-active compounds. The analyses led to the identification of 137 compounds; 118 of them were positively identified. Twenty-five odorants were considered as odour-active compounds and contribute to the typical papaya aroma, from which ethyl butanoate, benzyl isothiocyanate, 1-hexen-3-one, (E)-b-ionone, and methyl benzoate were the most odour-active compounds.

Herein, we report the influence of different combinations of initial concentration of acetic acid and ethanol on the removal of acetic acid from acidic wines by two commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains S26 and S29. Both strains reduced the volatile acidity of an acidic wine (1.0 gl −1 acetic acid and 11% (v/v) ethanol) by 78% and 48%, respectively. Acetic acid removal by strains S26 and S29 was associated with a decrease in ethanol concentration of 0.7 and 1.2% (v/v), respectively. Strain S26 revealed better removal efficiency due to its higher tolerance to stress factors imposed by acidic wines. Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) in the concentration range 95-170 mg l −1 inhibits the ability of both strains to reduce the volatile acidity of the acidic wine used under our experimental conditions. Therefore, deacidification should be carried out either in wines stabilized by filtration or in wines with SO 2 concentrations up to 70 mg l −1 . Deacidification of wines with the better performing strain S26 was associated with changes in the concentration of volatile compounds. The most pronounced increase was observed for isoamyl acetate (banana) and ethyl hexanoate (apple, pineapple), with an 18-and 25-fold increment, respectively, to values above the detection threshold. The acetaldehyde concentration of the deacidified wine was 2.3 times higher, and may have a detrimental effect on the wine aroma. Moreover, deacidification led to increased fatty acids concentration, but still within the range of values described for spontaneous fermentations, and with apparently no negative impact on the organoleptical properties.

Tomato plants respond to herbivory by emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released into the surrounding atmosphere. We analyzed the tomato herbivore-induced VOCs and tested the ability of tomato receiver plants to detect tomato donor volatiles by analyzing early responses, including plasma membrane potential (V m ) variations and cytosolic calcium ([Ca 2+ ] cyt ) fluxes. Receiver tomato plants responded within seconds to herbivore-induced VOCs with a strong V m depolarization, which was only partly recovered by fluxing receiver plants with clean air. Among emitted volatiles, we identified by GC-MS some green leaf volatiles (GLVs) such as (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, the monoterpene ␣-pinene, and the sesquiterpene ␤-caryophyllene. GLVs were found to exert the stronger V m depolarization, when compared to ␣-pinene and ␤-caryophyllene. Furthermore, V m depolarization was found to increase with increasing GLVs concentration. GLVs were also found to induce a strong [Ca 2+ ] cyt increase, particularly when (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate was tested both in solution and with a gas. On the other hand, ␣-pinene and ␤-caryophyllene, which also induced a significant V m depolarization with respect to controls, did not exert any significant effect on [Ca 2+ ] cyt homeostasis. Our results show for the first time that plant perception of volatile cues (especially GLVs) from the surrounding environment is mediated by early events, occurring within seconds and involving the alteration of the plasma membrane potential and the [Ca 2+ ] cyt flux.

A fracção volátil do tomate, das pêras e das maçãs é constituída por várias centenas de compostos, embora apenas uma parte seja responsável pelo aroma dos frutos, contribuindo assim para a sua qualidade.
As amostras analisadas incluíram tomate da cultivar para indústria Perfect Peel proveniente de campos de ensaio (Vila Franca de Xira, Azambuja), pêras Rocha armazenadas em câmaras da Cooperativa Agrícola do Cadaval (COOPVAL) e maçãs Bravo de Esmolfe provenientes de um pomar comercial situado na zona de Mangualde. Para caracterizar a sua fracção volátil utilizou-se Cromatografia em Fase Gasosa (CG) acoplada a Espectrometria de Massa (EM) e Microextracção em Fase Sólida (MEFS).
A comparação dos perfis cromatográficos obtidos permitiu estabelecer a composição volátil característica das amostras analisadas, bem como salientar diferenças na concentração de certos voláteis. Deste modo, pode-se afirmar que as características sensoriais das amostras serão distintas, pois os compostos que as diferenciam fazem parte dos que mais contribuem para o aroma dos frutos.
Os Ensaios Imunológicos são de fácil aplicação e podem ser utilizados como métodos de rastreio em análise de resíduos de pesticidas em produtos agro-alimentares. Analisaram-se amostras de tomate da cultivar Perfect Peel colhidas em campos experimentais localizados nas zonas de Vila Franca de Xira e de Coruche. Os pesticidas pesquisados foram o Clorpirifos, o Clorpirifos-metilo e o Metalaxil. Utilizou-se para o efeito um kit de Ensaios Imunológicos para Clorpirifos (Clorpirifos-metilo determinado por reacção cruzada) e um kit para Metolacloro (Metalaxil determinado por reacção cruzada), sendo os limites de detecção de aproximadamente 0,1 ppb.
Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as absorvâncias das amostras (medidas num espectrofotómetro) eram superiores às absorvâncias dos padrões usados nos ensaios. De acordo com o funcionamento dos kits, quanto maior for o valor de absorvância medido menor é a concentração de pesticida presente na amostra, portanto o tomate analisado não apresentava resíduos destes pesticidas ou os níveis presentes nas amostras eram inferiores aos limites de detecção.

Palavras-chave: tomate, pêra, maçã, voláteis, aroma, Cromatografia, Microextracção em Fase Sólida, pesticidas, resíduos, Ensaios Imunológicos, qualidade.

In the present study we describe a method, which is based on solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and which can be used for the profiling of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in the headspace (HS) of cultures of filamentous fungi. The method comprises the following successive steps: 1. growth of the fungus on a solid culture medium directly in headspace vials, 2. measurement of volatiles by HS-SPME-GC-MS, 3. deconvolution of mass spectra, 4. identification of volatiles by comparison of measured, deconvoluted mass spectra and linear temperature programmed retention indices (LTPRI) on two stationary GC phases with database entries and LTPRI published in the literature, and 5. profiling of the identified MVOCs. The developed method was successfully applied to cultures of the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma atroviride. An in-house library consisting of mass spectra and LTPRI values of fungal VOCs was established and used to study the profiles of MVOCs of this fungus. In total, 25 different MVOCs were identified by applying strict criteria (spectral match factor at least 90% and a maximum relative deviation of LTPRI of ± 2% from literature values). The MVOCs were assigned to the compound classes of alcohols, ketones, alkanes, furanes, pyrones (mainly the bioactive 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone), mono-and sesquiterpenes, 13 of which have never been reported to be produced by Trichoderma spp. before. Eleven of these volatiles have been additionally confirmed using authentic standards. Finally, time course experiments and cultivation of T. atroviride in the presence of the mycotoxin fusaric acid demonstrated the potential of the method to study the dynamics of MVOC profiles as well as the effect of different environmental/biological conditions on the expression of MVOCs of filamentous fungi.