Chemical Profiling of Volatile Components of the Gametophyte and Sporophyte Stages of the Hornwort <i>Leiosporoceros dussii</i> (Leiosporocerotaceae) From Panama by HS-SPME-GC-MS

Abstract

We report for the first time the chemical profiling of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of gametophyte and sporophyte life stages of Leiosporoceros dussii, from Panama by using headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to assess distinguishing chemical markers between the male and female gametophytes, and sporophytes of this hornwort. A total of 27 VOCs were identified in L. dussii. Furthermore, the gametophyte and sporophyte showed clear differences in the type and amount of VOCs. The main constituents of L. dussii female thalli were menthacamphor (17.8%), hexanol (12.3%), and menthyl acetate (12.3%), while the major compounds of the male thalli were hexanol (25.3%), β-ionone (21.1%), benzeneacetaldehyde (17.6%), and β-cyclocitral (14.0%). The main VOCs of the sporophytes were hexanal (19.3%), β-cyclocitral (17.6%), 2-nonenal (15.8%), hexanol (12.5%), and β-ionone (10.2%). Unique compounds found in the female thalli were 3-pentanone, 3-octenol, nonanol, estragole, and menthyl acetate, and in the male thalli were methyl heptenone, nonanal, neoisomenthol, and bornyl acetate. Isomenthol, thymol, isomenthol acetate, and β-methylnaphthalene were only found in the sporophyte. The characteristic VOCs identified in L. dussii suggest a difference between the chemical constituents of L. dussii and other hornworts species. The presence of simple VOCs when compared with compounds previously characterized in another hornwort genera may support the distinct genetic nature of this species.