How we can use tiny molecules to change our world: mVOCs in biotechnology

This blog discusses the wide range of applications of mVOCs in biotechnology, with the aim of solving many current and future challenges!

by Emina Ramic, Marie Klepper, Amin Dagane

Human history was marked by discoveries and inventions that pushed all of humanity forwards. From fire, to the discovery of gravity and electricity, to the invention of the steam engine and the internet. With each discovery our understanding of the world grew and changed the way we live our lives. We might have made another discovery, that over the short or long-term has the potential to fundamentally change our society: mVOCs.

First, let's start with the basics: mVOCs stands for Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds. These are gases produced by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

You might be wondering, what's the big deal about mVOCs in biotechnology? Well, it turns out that these tiny compounds pack a big punch. They have a wide range of applications in the field of biotechnology, from agriculture to medicine.

CREATING THE PERFECT PLANT

Ensuring a reliable and sufficient supply of food is a vital function of our society. Since the start of civilization this method was agriculture, which was used to support the growing number of humans. Imagine all the different factors that we could improve in farming: the size of the plants, the length of their roots, the defense against harmful organisms, their resistance to the environment. Imagine how much more efficient farming would be if we could magically do all that! How much more food we could provide, famines could be greatly reduced and we would be able to accommodate an even larger human population. This sounds too good to be true, right?

Wrong! With the advancing field of mVOCs this is not wishful thinking but a distinct possibility! Over the last couple of decades research into these incredibly diverse molecules has ramped up and will lay the groundwork for large-scale applications in the future. MVOCs can hinder the growth of bacteria or fungi that are harmful to our plants. This could mean the end for chemical pesticides! No more polluting of groundwater, no increased cancer-risk for farmers, no decline in pollination and in general less harmful chemicals in nature. And this is only the beginning! Since plants, bacteria and fungi have had hundreds of millions of years of evolution, the entire spectrum of interactions between the three, mediated by mVOCs is enormous and complex. This means that there are a lot of mVOCs for very specific pests and harmful fungi or bacteria. We only need to find them! And in the last decades we found a lot! The list of mVOCs that harm plant pathogens is long and growing every year! [1]

But mVOCs can not only protect our plants, they can also improve them! A certain type of bacteria, the so-called rhizobacteria live in symbiosis with the plants. They are in the ground and interact with plants at their roots. And those little guys can do a lot! They can increase the size of the plant tremendously! There have been studies in which multiple bacteria have been able to more than double the weight of the plant. And they were physically separated, so the only interaction possible were mVOCs. Additionally, the bacteria also greatly increased the root system of the plants. More roots, deeper roots, longer roots, the bacteria can do it all! [2]

And with an improved root-system the plants can also get nutrients more efficiently from the ground. If we could use those compounds on our food plants, we could not only use this to grow more food, but also grow it more efficiently! We could use less land and only grow food where conditions are optimal. Prices of food would go down since less land could provide more food.

A growing concern regarding agriculture is the negative impacts of climate change. Our plants are subjected to increasingly tougher conditions. More heatwaves, less rain and even natural disasters take a toll on our harvests. But even here we could look to our new friends for help! It has been shown that mVOCs can even make our plants more resilient to drought-like conditions. And those conditions will come up more often than we’d like. Tougher plants to deal with tougher climate! [4]

So now picture our new and improved plant: resistant to pests and pathogens, resistant to heat and droughts and even larger than before! The possibilities are endless, we just need to do the research to realize the incredible potential of mVOCs in agriculture.

MVOCs THE FUTURE OF NON-INVASIVE DISEASE DIAGNOSIS?

Another area where mVOCs are making a big impact is in the field of medicine. Researchers are exploring the use of mVOCs as a non-invasive way to diagnose diseases. For example, studies have shown that people with certain types of cancer release specific mVOCs that can be detected in their breath. By analyzing these mVOCs, doctors may be able to diagnose cancer earlier and more accurately. [5]

FROM ROTTEN FOOD TO FUEL

In addition to their promising applications in medicine, mVOCs also have the potential to revolutionize other industries. As the expiration date of fossil fuels draws near, finding alternative sources of energy becomes increasingly pressing. This begs the question: how can we replace the use of coal, oil, and natural gas? Fortunately, mVOCs may offer a solution to the looming climate crisis. But what exactly is their role in combating this global challenge?

While biofuels are an important alternative, their production can be challenging and resource-intensive. This is where mVOCs come in. Some types of bacteria and fungi can produce mVOCs that have the potential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of biofuel production.

Picture a wild party in a compost bin. That’s right, microorganisms are the life of the party, and their diverse personalities make all the difference. Their goal? To turn food or agrar-waste into something more valuable. Some microorganisms are better suited for certain starting products, so they’re hand picked for the job. And just like us humans, the end product they create depends on their metabolism. But here’s the best part - we can play party planner and manipulate their metabolism to make them produce what we want instead of what they prefer. This is possible through genetic engineering or adjusting cultivation conditions. Who knew tiny microbes could be so accommodating? But what role do mVOCs play now? MVOCs are metabolic products that can vary depending on the organism, used waste, and favored metabolism. MVOCs are important because they are the key to creating all kinds of products. They can be used to create end products or as intermediate steps for further processes. Terpenes are a type of mVOCs that can be used to make things like flavory, perfumes, medicine and biodiesel. They can be converted into a range of hydrocarbon compounds that are similar in structure to gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This makes them an attractive alternative to fossil fuels, which are a finite resource and have significant environmental impacts. When considering volatile fatty acids, alcohols, and aldehydes, there are even more potential applications for mVOCs! [7],[8]

By analyzing the mVOCs produced by these organisms, researchers can gain insight into their metabolic activity and make adjustments as needed to improve efficiency and yield. Overall, the use of mVOCs in biofuel production has the potential to make this important industry more sustainable and efficient and help fight the climate crisis as it is a possibility to reduce the CO2 emissions. While more research is needed to fully understand the role of mVOCs in biofuel production, the possibilities are exciting.

DO CERTAIN MICROORGANISM POSSES A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR?

Microorganisms play a critical role in the flavor and aroma of food products, and can be divided into two categories: those that produce unpleasant odors and flavors (the spoilage microorganisms) and those that produce desirable flavors (the beneficial microorganisms). Did you hear about the cheese that was feeling blue? It was probably caused by the beneficial microorganisms producing a mold! In traditional food fermentations, it is still unclear how these gases affect the way microorganisms interact with each other. In fact, manipulating the volatile organic compounds produced by microorganisms could improve traditional food fermentations [9]. And who knows, maybe we'll discover that Rhizopus and Lactobacillus make a great duo, like peanut butter and jelly! Truffles emit a variety of volatile metabolites, including sulfur volatiles produced by bacteria. These compounds contribute to the scent bouquet that attracts mammals and rodents to locate the fungus underground [10]. Microorganisms also play a crucial role in dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and curd. The majority of flavor compounds are produced from the breakdown of milkfat and the microbial transformation of lactose and citrate. Detecting volatile compounds produced by milk spoilage microflora can be used as a marker for spoilage in packaged foods, allowing for the determination of the remaining shelf life. Researchers have developed a colorimetric VOC detector to monitor the shelf life of milk, which uses nanoparticles and color changes to detect bacterial growth [11]. Did you hear about the milk that went bad? It was caught by the colorimetric nanosensor - talk about a high-tech solution to a common problem! The role of microorganisms in food production is complex and fascinating. And who knows, maybe we'll discover more interesting facts about them in the future - like that certain microorganisms have a great sense of humor!

“FUNGI-TASTIC” ALTERNATIVE

Microbial infections in fruits and vegetables can be a real "fun-gi" killer, leading to post-harvest losses during transportation, storage, and sale. Traditional methods of control, such as synthetic fungicides, can have harmful effects on humans and the environment. Luckily, mycofumigation offers a "fungi-tastic" alternative that uses volatile antimicrobial organic compounds produced by fungi to prevent microbial growth. Although most research has focused on Muscodor species, the benefits of mycofumigation include no direct contact with the plant product, easy diffusion in closed environments, no residues, and broad bioactivity against a range of microorganisms [12]. With mycofumigation, we can keep our produce "fresh as a fungi" for longer!

FUTURE

Imagine a future where pocket gas chromatography is as common as a smartphone. Everyone has one in their pocket or purse, ready to use at a moment's notice. With this powerful technology, you can analyze anything, anywhere, anytime, and gain insights that were once reserved for professional laboratories. You could use it to uncover the secrets of your favorite cheeses or to determine the ripeness of the fruits and vegetables in your garden.

For example, imagine you're at a cheese tasting, and you want to know what makes your favorite cheese so delicious. Simply take a small sample, put it in the pocket gas chromatography, and voila! You'll have a detailed analysis of the cheese's unique blend of flavors and aromas.

Or, perhaps you're a farmer, and you want to ensure that your crops are healthy and nutrient-rich. With pocket gas chromatography, you can easily test the soil and plants for any imbalances or deficiencies. Plus, you could use it to check the quality of your harvest before taking it to market, ensuring that your customers receive only the best produce.

But, as always, be prepared for the consequences of your findings. You may discover some surprising truths about the food you thought you knew so well. Just remember to use your newfound superpower for good, and not to ruin any more dinner parties or office meetings with your revelations.

So, there you have it! mVOCs may be tiny, but they have a big impact on biotechnology. From detecting plant diseases to diagnosing cancer to making tasty beverages, these little compounds are doing big things. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to appreciate the little things in life (like mVOCs)!

Did you like this post? Stay in touch for more upcoming blog posts on the fascinating topic of mVOCs! If you have any questions, comments or critics about this article, feel free to contact me or the authors directly.

Cheers,

Kustrim

Sources:

[1]: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/AEM.01078-07?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13199-010-0066-2

[3] https://www.chefsbest.com/advantages-disadvantages-pesticides/

[4] https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/epdf/10.1094/MPMI-21-8-1067

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5780355/

[6] https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Famericasbestpics.com%2Ftags%2Fbiodiesel&psig=AOvVaw0Vwj4ltCmhOGXWr27uQ9Co&ust=1680717107308000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBIQ3YkBahcKEwiQ1pqj5ZD-AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQHQ

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4677055/

[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26117421/

[9] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168160522004275?via%3Dihub

[10] https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/chapter-ten-Microbial-volatiles-and-their-Piechulla-Lemfack/50237b3684069c6b9b740a37e1655f4acc20a743

[11] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713519300258

[12] https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Mycofumigation-for-the-Biological-Control-of-Post-A-Aam-Mv/b91d89828c307b103ff232df5512a37ecf30768d