Optimization and Validation for Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds from Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Medfly) Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) by Using HS-SPME-GC-FID/MS

Background and Objective: The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), as most of the Tephritidae species, is a pest of great economic importance around the world. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted by Ceratitis capitata (C. capitata) at different life stages (larvae, pupae and adults) can help us to understand the chemicals they produce when interacting. This study aimed to use GC-MS technique to determine the optimal method for accurate, rapid and cost-effective of extraction of VOC from different life stages of C. capitata. Methodology: This study used HS-SPME fibre coupled with flame ionization detection (FID) and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the optimal method for accurate, rapid and cost-effective of extraction of VOC from different life stages of C. capitata. Qualitative Analysis software was used to analyse retention times and peak areas. Data were then analyzed by using SPSS. Results: Results indicated that a 4 h extraction time using 20 insects/ sample was optimal for the detection of VOC from all life stages of C. capitata. Conclusion: For saving time, 4 h as extraction time was selected. This study provide that different stage of Medfly has specific VOCs, which in turn explain the feasibility of this method as means of identifying stages of Medfly.