The smell of zebra finches: Elucidation of zebra finch odour applying gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and olfaction-guided approaches

Alves Soares T, Caspers BA, Loos H (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Talanta Open Elsevier

Book Volume: 9

Article Number: 100277

DOI: 10.1016/j.talo.2023.100277

Abstract

Zebra finches use volatile compounds for olfactory communication. In this study the volatile composition of zebra finch preen oil and feathers, potential sources of semiochemicals, was studied applying olfactory-guided approaches. In sum, 14 sample pools consisting of 1600 individual samples were analysed. In preen oil, 34 odour-active and 75 further volatiles were detected. In feathers, 51 odour-active and 76 further volatiles were detected. Several substances were common to both sample types, and feathers beared a higher number of volatiles than preen oil. We found hints towards a sex chemical signature. In sum, 121 compounds were identified, out of which 95/49 compounds had not been described in zebra finches/in birds before. This study shows that the combination of classic gas chromatography - mass spectrometry with olfaction-guided approaches leads to a more comprehensive characterization of the avian volatilome. The here presented approach can also be applied for other species.

Authors with CRIS profile

Tatjana Alves Soares Lehrstuhl für Aroma- und Geruchsforschung Helene Loos Lehrstuhl für Aroma- und Geruchsforschung

Additional Organisation(s)

Emil-Fischer-Zentrum (Emil Fischer Center) FAU Forschungszentrum Neue Wirkstoffe (FAU NeW)

Involved external institutions

Universität Bielefeld DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Alves Soares, T., Caspers, B.A., & Loos, H. (2024). The smell of zebra finches: Elucidation of zebra finch odour applying gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and olfaction-guided approaches. Talanta Open, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talo.2023.100277

MLA:

Alves Soares, Tatjana, Barbara A. Caspers, and Helene Loos. "The smell of zebra finches: Elucidation of zebra finch odour applying gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and olfaction-guided approaches." Talanta Open 9 (2024).

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