Identification of Bioactive Plant Volatiles for the Carob Moth by Means of GC-EAD and GC-Orbitrap MS

The aim of this study was to validate a workflow that allows structural identification plant volatiles induce behavioral response in insects. Due the complexity volatile emissions and low levels at which these bioactive components tend occur, gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAD) applied as prime differentiator technique, i.e., indicate particular peaks interest chromatogram. In next step, analysis repeated under identical conditions using GC-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS). Combining electron impact (EI) ionization chemical (CI) with superior spectral resolution accuracy technique enabled straightforward unknowns, high confidence minute amount time. Moreover, because intrinsic sensitivity occur trace amounts but may disproportional large responses are evenly well-identified. We were able positively identify β-caryophyllene compound female carob moths. Behavioral attraction negatively correlated host fruits. an oviposition experiment on filter paper, stimulated range 40–100 ng, while concentrations above 200 ng inhibited oviposition.