Molecular Phytopathology and Mycotoxin Research, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
New Phytol. 2011 Feb;189(3):688-99. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03523.x.
Truffles (Tuber spp.) are symbiotic fungi that develop underground in association with plant roots. Food connoisseurs describe their scent as sensual, seductive and unique. These mysterious fungi, however, do not produce their aroma for the mere pleasure of humans. Truffle volatiles act as odorant cues for mammals and insects which are thus able to locate the precious fungi underground and spread their spores. They also freely diffuse in the soil and mediate interactions with microorganisms and plant roots, potentially regulating a complex molecular dialogue among soil fauna and flora. The aim of this review is to synthesize 30 yr of research on truffle volatiles, spanning fields of study from chemical ecology to aroma biosynthesis. Specific aspects of truffle volatile ecology and biology will be discussed, including which species have been studied so far and for what purpose, what ecological role has been demonstrated or speculated to exist for specific truffle volatiles, which volatiles are common or unique to certain species and what their biosynthetic route might be. Future challenges in truffle aroma research will also be addressed, focusing on how high-throughput post-genomic technologies may advance our understanding of truffle aroma biosynthesis and chemical ecology.
块菌（块菌属）是与植物根系共生的地下真菌。美食家们形容它们的气味是感性的、诱人的和独特的。然而，这些神秘的真菌并不是为了取悦人类而产生它们的香气。块菌挥发物作为气味线索，引导哺乳动物和昆虫在地下找到珍贵的真菌，并传播它们的孢子。它们也在土壤中自由扩散，调节与微生物和植物根系的相互作用，可能调节土壤动物和植物之间复杂的分子对话。本文综述了 30 年来块菌挥发物的研究，涵盖了从化学生态学到香气生物合成的研究领域。本文将讨论块菌挥发物的生态学和生物学的具体方面，包括迄今为止已经研究了哪些物种，以及出于什么目的进行研究，已经证明或推测哪些特定的块菌挥发物具有何种生态作用，哪些挥发物是某些物种所共有的，或者它们的生物合成途径可能是什么。本文还将探讨块菌香气研究的未来挑战，重点关注高通量后基因组技术如何提高我们对块菌香气生物合成和化学生态学的理解。
