Advancing biosecurity: progress and prospects of volatile organic compound (VOC) detection for invasive pest and pathogen surveillance

Abstract

Biosecurity protects the health of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems by preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species that threaten agriculture, biodiversity, and the economy. With increasing global trade and travel, the movement of pests and pathogens has intensified, causing major agricultural losses estimated at more than one trillion dollars between 1970 and 2017. Australia has established one of the world's most effective biosecurity systems, built on pre-border, border, and post-border measures and supported by national frameworks such as the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed and PLANTPLAN. However, the continuing rise in invasive species highlights the need for portable and rapid diagnostic tools that can be applied consistently across regions. This review examines the historical, ecological, and economic impacts of invasive species, focusing on Australia's biosecurity practices and the detection of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). Conventional laboratory methods such as DNA-based assays, PCR, and ELISA remain reliable but are slow and costly. In contrast, new strategies that detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by pests and infested plants show promise for on-site surveillance. These VOCs act as chemical fingerprints that can be captured and analyzed using techniques such as headspace sampling, solid-phase microextraction, and electrochemical sensing. The review evaluates the benefits and limitations of VOC-based detection and highlights opportunities for improving early pest diagnostics in agriculture and biosecurity through further development of these technologies.