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Novel collection method for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from dogs
Chris J Holderman1, Phillip E Kaufman1, Matthew M Booth2
1Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
Summary
Researchers identified unique chemical cues (volatile organic compounds or VOCs) emitted by dogs. This discovery could help track disease vectors like mosquitoes and potentially identify individual dogs or breeds.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Chemical Ecology
Background:
- Arthropod attraction to hosts involves chemical cues.
- Long-range cues include CO2, heat, and water vapor; short-range cues are volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Domestic dogs are hosts for diseases like heartworm, transmitted by mosquitoes, but their specific VOCs are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present a novel method for sampling and identifying VOCs emitted by dogs.
- To characterize the VOC profile of domestic dogs for potential use in vector attraction studies and other applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Tenax TD stainless steel tube to collect VOCs from dog fur and skin.
- Desorbed and analyzed collected VOCs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Subtracted background air chemicals to isolate dog-specific compounds.
Main Results:
- Successfully differentiated 182 chemical compounds from dog VOC samples.
- Identified 41 shared VOCs among four sampled dogs.
- Identified VOCs included aliphatics, aromatics, aldehydes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids.
Conclusions:
- The developed method effectively characterizes dog-derived VOCs.
- This chemical profiling has potential applications in identifying individual dogs, breeds, and possibly diagnosing diseases.
- Understanding dog VOCs can aid in controlling disease vectors like mosquitoes.