Solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry and multistage mass spectrometry experiments in the characterization of germacrene D.

Germacrene D is a vegetable pheromone utilized in interactions among organisms belonging to different species. For the first time, using solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry, the presence of this compound was detected in an in vitro mycorrhizal synthesis system where the mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber borchii Vittad. interacts with the plant Tilia Americana L. From this symbiosis, a new structure, called ectomycorrhiza, is formed where the two symbionts exchange nutrients and metabolites. It seems that only after this interaction can the mycelium develop the fruitbody, commonly known as truffle. The results obtained allowed us to ascertain that germacrene D was synthesized by the plant exclusively in the presence of T. borchii. The originality of these data prompted us to hypothesize that this compound could be involved in the first step of ectomycorrhiza formation, as it is able to stimulate specific fungi receptors. In fact, plants release hundreds of secondary metabolites that are important in their interactions with other organisms. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.