Biological and Ecological Chemistry Department, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK
Porous polymers (e.g. Porapak Q, Tenax TA) have been utilised extensively as
pre-concentration techniques in chemical ecology. A comparative study was conducted to
show the high sensitivity of thermal desorption vs. solvent elution of porous polymers. A
number of examples will be presented to demonstrate that the polarity and quantity of
solvent are crucial in eluting the trapped volatiles from the porous polymers. The advantages
and disadvantages of thermal and solvent desorption in relation to chemical ecology studies
will be discussed. Finally, an example of monitoring fast released compounds related to
damage on potato leaves will be presented where both thermal and solvent desorption of
polymers are used in a complimentary fashion.
N. Agelopoulos et al.1999. A novel approach for isolation of volatile chemicals
released by individual leaves of a plant in situ. J. Chem. Ecol. 25(6): 1411-1425.