Production of volatile compounds by hairy root cultures of Cichorium intybus L under the influence of fungal elicitors and their analysis using solid-phase micro extraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Hairy root cultures of Cichorium intybus L produced volatile aromatic compounds under the
influence of fungal elicitors. It was observed that the intensity of the production of volatile aromatic
compounds in the hairy root cultures of C intybus with 10 ml l−1 media filtrate (MF) of Phytopthora
parasitica var nicotiana reached a maximum on the 21st day, as seen by a quantitative flavour profiling
method. It was noted that, during the time course, treatment with 10ml l−1 MF of P parasitica to the MS
basal liquid medium containing hairy root cultures of chicory resulted in changed root morphology with
cell wall thickening and shear. The components of the volatile aromatic compounds were identified as
a propyl isovalerate, undecanal, nonanol, isoamyl nonanoate and 2-decene-1-ol. The mass spectra of all
these compoundsmatched well with the NIST/EPA/NIHlibrary and by comparing with the Kovats index of
volatile compounds. Themajor fruity note was due to the presence of two of themajor volatile components,
namely propyl isovalerate and isoamyl nonanoate, which were also produced at higher concentration on
day 21. This response of chicory hairy root cultures to the fungal elicitor producing volatile aromatic
compounds would imply eco-physiological functions, possibly for plant defence system.