VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND CHAMBER (VOC CHAMBER) FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MICROBIOLOGICAL VOLATILE INTERACTION ASSAYS

There is a substantial lack of laboratory gear specifically designed for the study of microbial interactions mediated by Volatile Organic Compounds. Up until now, most of these experiments have been performed using non-specific materials, which generates several problems and limitations. This novel Volatile Organic Compound Chamber (VOC chamber) provide a standardized method for the study of microbial interactions mediated by VOCs. Scientific trials comparing the new devices with the available methodologies have proven several advantages: - Easier and faster manipulation. Less time-consuming protocol. It eliminates errors derived from the incorrect fitting of the elements of the chamber (common when using non-specific materials). - Higher experimental homogeneity and replicability. It eliminates the variability derived from the use of materials not designed for the specific task. Thus, the results obtained are more accurate, allowing to observed effects and differences among treatments that would be otherwise missed. - Flexibility regarding ventilation conditions. VOC Chambers come in vented and non-vented configurations, allowing for variations in the level of gas exchange with the environment. This is a vital parameter in the study of volatile interactions. - Reduces cross contamination between the tested microbial strains. - Allows for the adequate placement of membranes and filters to further avoid contamination and to select the exchanged molecules. - Allows new configurations featuring an outlet or adaptor for the extraction of the VOCs retained in the headspace, trapping them for ulterior analysis by GC/MS. - Modifications in the basic design or the protocol have proven its usefulness in the study of microbe-plant and microbe-insect volatile interactions. - Easy to implement in the laboratory as it is based on well-tested traditional Petri dishes. - Easy manufacture, being carried out with the same procedures used for other widespread lab materials such as Petri dishes (plastic injection in steel mold). - Low unitary cost. In addition, a derived methodology has been designed and intellectually protected via Utility Model (“CÁMARA DE CULTIVO PARA EVALUAR LOS EFECTOS DECOMPUESTOS VOLÁTILES EN LAS INTERACCIONES PLANTA-MICROORGANISMO”. OEPM Nº ES1273985. 12.10.2021). This related device was specifically developed to perform experiments for the study of volatile interactions between microorganisms and plants. The efficient performance of the VOC Chambers has been extensively tested and is fully reported in four articles published in high-impact peer-reviewed international scientific journals: (https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7040248, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111286, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.104868, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2022.101734). The invention has received several awards and has been tested by independent laboratories in different countries. Moreover, it holds pending patent status in the USA, Canada, Japan, and the EU.