Use of electronic nose technology to measure soil microbial activity through biogenic volatile organic compounds and gases release

► Electronic nose responses were highly correlated with both metabolic and growth microbial measures. ► Electronic nose distinguished distinct phases of bacterial growth and activity from non-inoculated controls. ► Electronic nose supplied a holistic metabolic image of the gnotobiotic and axenic soil ecosystem. ► Electronic nose possibly permits metabolic activity detection in natural conditions and in the field.