Volatilomics: An emerging discipline within Omics Sciences - A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction Volatilomics is an omics science that is characterized as being a specific subbranch of metabolomics, which studies the different types of volatile organic compounds that may be present in a certain biological matrix. It has had impacts on the identification of new natural compounds and food safety processes, since it allows the evaluation of emerging contaminants that are present on food matrices, through the identification of biomarkers generated in response to this type of xenobiotic compounds through xenovolatilomic studies. Objective In this way, this review seeks to understand the scientific advances reported towards volatilomic studies, for which different types of primary research are reported depending on the main instrumental techniques used for the characterization of different types of VOCs that have been reported in our country between 2012 and 2022. Methodology Using a qualitative methodology, a search was carried out in the Scopus database, from which the bibliometric information of the primary research reported during this time was obtained, to later analyze the different research concerning the use of volatilomic studies and the fields of action that are currently used, as well as the different techniques for obtaining these compounds and the data analysis methodologies established for the processing of this type of research. Conclusions Finally, it can be concluded that, from the present review, the applicability of volatilomic studies is shown. The incursion carried out by this type of science on the verification of food safety in different types of matrices, in addition to allowing the study of the volatile profile formed by the different volatile organic compounds expressed by said matrix and the respective ecological role expressed by these compounds with the environment in which they are found.