Figure 1

Experimental set-up: RBCs infected with P. falciparum asexual stages were cultured for four days in two biological replicates. Supernatants were sampled at day 0 (0.5% parasitemia in both replicates), day 2 (parasitemia 1.3% and 1.6%) and day 3 (parasitemia 4.2% and 5.9%). At day 4, NAG was added to selectively eliminate the asexual forms. For sake of comparison, NAG was also added to the intact RBC. Gametocyte culture supernatants were sampled at day 7, gametocytes stage II-III (gametocitemia 1.6% and 2.2%); at day 10, gametocytes stage IV and at day 14, gametocyte stage V. Uninfected RBC cultures used as a control were sampled in parallel. Collected supernatants were measured in sequence with electronic nose and PTR-MS.