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Updated: Jan 15, 2026
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Capturing Actively Produced Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds from Human-Associated Samples with Vacuum-Assisted Sorbent Extraction
Published on: June 1, 2022
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Bacterial volatile organic compound specialists in the phycosphere
Vaishnavi G Padaki1, Xavier Mayali2, Peter K Weber2
1Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
The ISME Journal
|October 15, 2025
Summary
Marine diatoms release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that fuel bacterial growth. Consumption of these VOCs by specialized bacteria enhances diatom primary production, impacting global carbon cycles.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Biogeochemistry
- Phytoplankton ecology
Background:
- Labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fuels ocean microbial production.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are significant but poorly understood DOC components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate VOC production by diatoms and their consumption by bacteria.
- To determine the impact of VOC consumption on primary production.
Main Methods:
- Detection of VOCs using mass spectrometry.
- Coculture experiments with diatoms and bacteria.
- Gene analysis for VOC oxidation proteins.
- Stable isotope labeling to trace carbon incorporation.
Main Results:
- Diatoms released diverse VOCs, including petroleum hydrocarbons.
- Specific bacteria, Marinobacter and Roseibium, consumed these VOCs.
- Bacterial VOC consumption enhanced diatom gross carbon production by up to 29%.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial VOC consumption in the phycosphere influences phytoplankton productivity.
- This interaction has potential implications for global primary production and carbon cycling.
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