Classification or categorization is the process by which objects are sorted based on a set of characters. In biology, the utility of classification is quite apparent because the fundamental unit that describes any organism is that of a "species, " which is expected to be governed by a set of characters that uniquely identifies it (see synapomorphy; de Queiroz, 2007). However, classification or categorization need not be limited to taxonomic or phylogenetic studies; they can be extended to any science where a set of characters are used to classify objects into distinct categories, such as in metagenomics, biodiversity characterization, character evolution, population genetics, ecological studies, and conservation (
Premise
We present a low‐cost, battery‐operated, portable pump, “FloPump,” which allows regulated air sampling for the study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are routinely investigated in applications such as atmospheric chemistry, agriculture, and fragrance biology.
Methods and Results
We compared the performance of FloPump with the Supelco pump in collecting VOCs using two test samples: guava fruit (Psidium guajava) and a perfume. The sampling and identification of volatiles was carried out using a dynamic headspace sampling method followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We show that the sampling efficiency of FloPump is comparable to the commercial pump, and at an affordable cost of ~US$115 (~86% cheaper), it provides a viable option for researchers interested in sampling volatiles on a constrained budget.
Conclusions
Accurate air sampling is critical for the study of VOCs. We propose that FloPump will make air sampling more affordable, thus encouraging studies of VOCs.
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