Using a portable hydrogen cyanide gas meter to uncover a dynamic phytochemical landscape.

ABSTRACT:

Premise

Over 3000 species of plants and animals release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas when their tissues are crushed. To investigate the role of cyanogenesis in Passiflora-herbivore interactions, we developed an inexpensive, rapid, sensitive method for measuring HCN emissions from crushed tissues.

Methods

The method includes crushed tissue confinement in a closed chamber, where cyanogenesis reactions occur, followed by evacuation of gas to a portable HCN meter. Parts per million readings are repeated at 5-min intervals until HCN is depleted. Three versions of the closed reaction chamber apparatus were tested: plastic cup, airtight combination mortar-pestle, and glass desiccator jar.

Results

We calibrated the method by comparing with a closed chamber measurem

SUBMITTER: Smiley J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7186902 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature