A new system to study directional volatile-mediated interactions reveals the ability of fungi to specifically react to other fungal volatiles

Microbes communicate with each other using a wide array of chemical compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Usually, such volatile-mediated interactions are studied by growing two different microbes in shared, confined environment and subsequently collecting analyzing the emitted VOCs gas chromatography. This procedure has several drawbacks, artificial overaccumulation potential oxygen limitation, as well impossibility to assign producer newly during interaction. To address these challenges, we have developed novel system specifically designed analyze allowing for sequential unidirectional exposure “receiver” microorganism an “emitter” microorganism. Using hermetically sealed systems connected air compressor, constant airflow could be generated, driving volatiles absorbed collection charcoal filter. Thus, our avoids lack headspace enables univocal assignment their producers. As proof concept, used this experimental setup characterize reaction plant growth-promoting biocontrol fungus ( Trichoderma simmonsii ) perception pathogens, namely Botrytis cinerea Fusarium oxysporum . Our results show that pathogen's volatilome triggered specific response, resulting significant changes 's modulation was overall stronger when exposed from than , which correlated increased siderophore production co-incubated fungus. method will not only help better understand but also identify new molecules interest induced VOC exposure, putative-inducing signals themselves.