Diversity of Plant Endophytic Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and Their Potential Applications

Abstract

Plant endophytes ranging from bacteria to fungi produce a diverse class of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are important for the development of symbiotic relation under highly competitive environment with the host. Not only that, they also play an important role in intra- and inter-kingdom signalling. Chemically, this gas-phase mixture may contain acids, alcohols, aldehydes, aromatics, esters, heterocycles, ketones, terpenes, thiols, and so forth. Several evidences suggested their potential use for sustainable crop production and industrial applications. Many VOCs have been reported with significant effects for antibiosis and growth promotion. They provide for an alternative to chemicals used to protect plants from pathogens and thus allow for better crop welfare. They also possess food and flavor properties which can be exploited in depth for food industries. Recent studies revealed that endophytes also produce diverse volatile hydrocarbons with fuel properties. They emit mixtures of volatile biofuel molecules comprising of alkanes, alkenes, acids, benzene derivatives, esters, etc. A vast diversity of endophytes are associated with plants for their ecology and fitness, and a systematic exploration of their VOCs will likely uncover novel use for their future utilization. In this chapter we highlight the nature and known or proposed functions of endophytic bacterial and fungal VOCs with a focus on the ones which have potential applications.