Application of comprehensive bidimensional gas chromatography to the search of biomarkers for pathogen resistance on vegetables

Abstract

This project is inserted on the Brazilian National Research Network on Agrodiversity and Agricultural Sustainability (REPENSA) through the study and characterization of the metabolic profiles of vegetable, aiming the understanding of the biochemical mechanisms associated to the induction of plant resistance to pathogen agents and insects. We presented a proposal to develop analytical strategies for analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds from plants. For the identification and quantitation, conventional (GC) and Comprehensive Multidimensional Gas Chromatography (GCxGC) coupled to quadrupolar mass spectrometry (qMS) will be employed to study the metabolic profile of plants, especially eucalyptus. Methods for the analytical characterization of primary and secondary metabolites from vegetable species will be developed. Samples from healthy and pathogen fungi-infected plants obtained from eucalyptus commercial cultivars will be analyzed. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) will be used as sample preparation technique. It is expected that the results obtained help the understanding of the biochemical processes involved on plant defense mechanisms during pathogen-induced stress periods. Also, we hope that the analytical tools studied can be applicable to fast determination of pathogen-resistant eucalyptus cultivars. (AU)