Bacteria emit a wide range of volatile organic compounds. Over the last decade, our understanding of the chemical complexity of the volatile blends produced by many different bacterial taxa has grown constantly. In parallel, studies reporting strong effects in target organisms upon exposure to bacterial scents have been accumulating. Bacterial volatile organic compounds have been implicated in modulation of antibiotic resistance or alteration of quorum-sensing perception in bacteria, as well as in growth promotion or inhibition of fungi, plants or animals. Beyond the strong biological effects observed upon exposure to bacterial complex volatile blends, the identification of the responsible active components within the emitted mixture is still in its prime. Moreover, research efforts are needed to understand the physiological changes caused in target organisms by exposure to bacterial volatiles, changes that ultimately lead to the observed effects such as antibiotic resistance, inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi or promotion of plant growth. This research topic aims at providing an overview of the newest findings in the young and rapidly developing field of bacterial volatiles, from their chemical structure to their biological functions. Articles addressing the role of bacterial volatiles in inter-specific and inter-kingdom interactions are particularly welcome, as well as those shedding light on the metabolic and physiological changes occurring in target organisms upon exposure to bacterial volatiles. Studies investigating bacteria as targets rather than sources of volatiles will be considered as well.
Bacteria emit a wide range of volatile organic compounds. Over the last decade, our understanding of the chemical complexity of the volatile blends produced by many different bacterial taxa has grown constantly. In parallel, studies reporting strong effects in target organisms upon exposure to bacterial scents have been accumulating. Bacterial volatile organic compounds have been implicated in modulation of antibiotic resistance or alteration of quorum-sensing perception in bacteria, as well as in growth promotion or inhibition of fungi, plants or animals. Beyond the strong biological effects observed upon exposure to bacterial complex volatile blends, the identification of the responsible active components within the emitted mixture is still in its prime. Moreover, research efforts are needed to understand the physiological changes caused in target organisms by exposure to bacterial volatiles, changes that ultimately lead to the observed effects such as antibiotic resistance, inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi or promotion of plant growth. This research topic aims at providing an overview of the newest findings in the young and rapidly developing field of bacterial volatiles, from their chemical structure to their biological functions. Articles addressing the role of bacterial volatiles in inter-specific and inter-kingdom interactions are particularly welcome, as well as those shedding light on the metabolic and physiological changes occurring in target organisms upon exposure to bacterial volatiles. Studies investigating bacteria as targets rather than sources of volatiles will be considered as well.