Identification of volatile organic compounds of Trichoderma spp. using static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Fungi release wide spectrum of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that belong to several chemical groups with different biochemical origins such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic compounds, esters, furans, ketones, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Trichoderma species are the most studied fungal biocontrol agents and are successfully used as biofungicides and biofertilizers in greenhouse and field. Volatile metabolites play a key role in mycoparasitism of Trichoderma spp., as well as in their interactions with plants and other organisms in their environments. Based on the antibiotic activity of these fungi against the fungal pathogens, further consideration of their VOCs profiles, has been offered. In this study, VOCs of native Trichoderma species from Iran (T. harzianum, T. virens (6011), T. atroviridae (1-3)) have been identified by static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The most of detected compounds were related to monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. These are including; dl-limonene; beta-himachalene; beta-cubebene; cadinene; caryophyllene; alpha-gurjunene; farnesol; thujopsene; beta-bisabolene and alpha-farnesene. Based on antifungal effects of these compounds, biological control of these Trichoderma species can be related to them. These VOCs could be potential sources for purposes of chemotaxonomy and natural fungicides to protect crops from the fungal pathogens without environmental problems.