Effect of a fungal infection on the profile of volatile organic compounds emitted by plant roots

It is known since few years that the aerial and underground parts of the plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can interact with other organisms of the environment. They are involved in the attraction of seed dispersers and pollinators, the repellence of enemies via direct or indirect mechanisms and the induction of defence systems in other parts of the same plant or in other plants in the vicinity (Dudareva et al., 2006). It has been shown previously that the VOCs spectrum emitted by plants hardly depends on their physiological state (Kant et al., 2009). However those phenomenons were poorly studied at the edaphic level. Thus, the Rhizovol project, a multidisciplinary project in Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech was set up to study the emissions of VOCs by plant roots and their interactions with other organisms of the rhizosphere. As a partner of this project, the Plant Pathology Unit of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech chose to study the effect of a fungal infection on the profile of VOCs emitted by plant roots, based on three model organisms, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), since it is a major crop in Belgium that can suffer a large range of aggressions, and two pathogenic fungi, Cochliobolus sativus and Fusarium culmorum, responsible for root and foot rots and seedling blight on cereals (Wiese, 1977). Later in the development, C. sativus produces elongate brown-black lesions (spot blotch) and F. culmorum induces head blight and produces mycotoxins that make the grain unsuitable for consumption (Nielsen et al., 2011). The objective of this work was to identify the VOCs emitted during the dual interactions between barley roots and a pathogenic fungus. The study was performed in two steps; first, the independent analyses of the VOCs emitted by each of the partners (C. sativus, F. culmorum and healthy barley roots), then the analyses of the VOCs spectrum emitted during dual interactions.

Modelling migration from high-density polyethylene containers into concentrated solutions used as food flavourings

Migration from high-density polyethylene into different liquids (hexane, ethanol, lemon terpenes and their emulsions) was modelled using the response surfaces method. Polynomial equations (z = A + Bx + Cy + Dx2 + Ey2 + Fxy) were established and parameters determined for each compound. Correlation coefficients were generally > 90%. Analysis indicated that 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol, probably due to the degradation of the antioxidant additive tris(2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl)phosphite, migrated into each liquid tested, whatever the temperature. Oligomers (10-30 carbons) terminated by a vinyl group were also detected.

The homolytic and heterolytic fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase-like activities of hematin

Pentenols and pentene dimers are biosynthetized in plants by homolytic fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) or HPL-like enzymes. It has been found that these compounds can modify the flavor of olive oil. Reactions between hematin and 13-hydroperoxyoctadecatrienoic acid resulted in the formation of the same compounds via a free radical reaction in which an alkoxyl radical derived from linolenic acid hydroperoxide undergoes a beta-scission. (Z)-3-Hexenal has also been detected as a minor product of the reaction. It is bioconversed from the same substrate in plants by heterolytic HPL. Thanks to the redox cycle of its central iron, hematin has both homolytic and heterolytic HPL-like activities.

Potato tubers exhibit both homolytic and heterolytic hydroperoxide fatty acid-cleaving activities

The action of a crude potato-tuber extract on 9- and 13-hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acids was investigated. HPLC analysis revealed that 50% of the 9-hydroperoxide isomers and almost all the 13-hydroperoxide isomers were rapidly enzymically metabolized. No degradation of fatty acid hydroperoxides was observed with a thermally denatured enzymic extract. GC-MS identification of the volatiles formed by the reaction revealed that no volatiles were detected from the 9-hydroperoxide isomers, whereas 13-hydroperoxide of linolenic acid was cleaved into (Z)-3-hexenal, pentenols or dimers of pentene.

Characterization of two Acacia gums and their fractions using a langmuir film balance

The mechanical properties of monolayers from two Acacia gums [Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. and Acacia seyal Del.] and their three fractions isolated by hydrophobic interaction chromatography were studied with a Langmuir film balance to obtain a more complete understanding of their action mode. The analysis of compression isotherms revealed that A. senegal gums globally exhibit better interfacial properties than A. seyal ones. The behavior of the whole gums appeared to be strongly influenced by their arabinogalactan-protein complex.