A laboratory high-throughput glass chamber using dynamic headspace TD-GC/MS method for the analysis of whole Brassica napus L. plantlet volatiles under cadmium-related abiotic stress

IntroductionThe dynamic headspace sampling technique using thermal desorption, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) is a powerful method for analysing plant emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and experiments performed in sterile and controlled conditions can be useful for VOC metabolism investigations. ObjectiveThe main purpose of this study was to set up a laboratory high-throughput glass chamber for whole plant volatiles analysis. Brassica napus L. plantlets were tested with the developed system to better understand the relationship between low emission of induced terpene and cadmium (Cd)-related abiotic stress. MethodologyVOCs emitted by 28-day-old Brassica napus L. plantlets cultivated in vitro were trapped with our device using adsorbent cartridges that were desorbed with a thermal desorption unit before cryofocusing with a cooled injection system and programmable temperature vaporising inlet into an HP-5ms GC column. Terpene detection and quantitation from chromatogram profiles were acquired using selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode during full scan analysis and mass spectra were obtained with a quadrupole-type mass spectrometer. ResultsThe new trapping method produced reliable qualitative profiles of oilseed rape VOCs. Typical emissions of monoterpenes (myrcene, limonene) and sesquiterpenes (-elemene, (E,E)--farnesene) were found for the different concentrations tested. One-way analysis of variance for quantitative results of (E,E)--farnesene emission rates showed a Cd concentration effect. ConclusionThis inexpensive glass chamber has potential for wide application in laboratory sterile approach and replicated research. Moreover, the non-invasive dynamic sampling technique could also be used to analyse volatiles under both abiotic and biotic stresses. The dynamic headspace sampling technique using thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) is a powerful method for analysing plant emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The main purpose of this study was to set-up a laboratory high-throughput glass chamber for whole plant volatiles analysis. The trapping method produced reliable qualitative profiles of oilseed rape VOCs. Moreover, this inexpensive and non-invasive dynamic sampling technique has potential for wide application in sterile approach and replicated research.