SORA Awardee 2006

Dr. Ernst Grell

Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Frankfurt
Germany

Project: Analyzing the scent of Paphiopedilum

The applicant wishes to elucidate systematically the molecular composition of the floral scents of fragrant Paphiopedilum species of the sections Parvisepalum and Emersonianum, originating mainly from Vietnam. This will be done by applying headspace sampling and analysis techniques, where the sampling is adapted to Paphiopedilum flowers. The results are expected to provide interesting information with regard to possible pollinator selectivity, evolutionary and taxonomic aspects. All pollinators of the chosen plants are currently unknown. After having identified the scent components, corresponding synthetic compounds can be applied in traps to attract, catch and subsequently identify potential insect pollinators in the plant's natural habitats as an important future perspective. The project is part of a cooperation with Dr. Roman Kaiser, Givaudan Suisse SA, who kindly offers to carry out the analytical studies. The applied funding concerns only the applicant's part of the investigation.