Volatile organic compounds from the interaction between Fusarium verticillioides and maize kernels as a natural repellents of Sitophilus zeamais

Abstract

Maize kernels are exposed to Sitophilus zeamais attack and Fusarium verticillioides infestation duringstorage, which can result in product deterioration and economic losses. The objective of this study was toevaluate the involvement of the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by the fungi-corn system ingrain-insect interactions. Volatiles emitted by healthy maize kernels were different from those emittedby fungal infected kernels, with the latter being enriched by alcohols, ketones and sesquiterpenes, whichwere considered early indicators of fungal contamination. The results demonstrated that the kernelsexposed to the fungal VOCs and their pure compounds (1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanol) were less attractiveand less damaged by S. zeamais than controls. In addition to compound adsorption, other processes mayhave caused the protective effect of exposed kernels against insect damage. This is the first contributionof the role of the fungal volatiles on the behavior of S. zeamais, and could provide an importantcontribution to the conservation of stored grains and pest management and an early indicator of fungalcontamination.