title: The identification of potential aeroallergen/irritant(s) from oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera): volatile organic compounds emitted during flowering progression.
abstract: Volatile organic compounds emitted by growing intact oilseed rape plants have been detected using an entrainment apparatus enabling volatile headspace analysis by thermal desorption coupled to capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 22 volatile compounds were identified as being emitted during the flowering period. The main constituents were alpha-farnesene (a sesquiterpene); beta-myrcene (a monoterpene); linalool (a monoterpene alcohol) and the 'green leaf' volatile (E)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate. These compounds constituted between 50 and 87% (mean 68%) of the total volatiles emitted in all of the entrainments carried out with flowering oilseed rape plants. The remaining constituents consisted of a range of compounds including other terpenoids, the characteristic 'green leaf' volatile (E)-3-hexen-1-ol, short chain alcohols and ketones, organic sulphides and nitrogen-containing compounds. These were generally present as minor constituents but some plant entrainments revealed that higher relative amounts could be emitted. This was particularly apparent for dimethyl disulphide, 3-methyl-2-pentanone, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, sabinene, isomyrcenol and (E)-3-hexen-1-ol. The possible role of the 22 compounds in respiratory mucosa and conjunctiva irritation associated with airborne releases from oilseed rape is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: MacFarlane-Smith
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007509:Irritants; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil