Subject(s)
Alkaloids/analysis , Ants , Venoms/analysis , Animals , Ants/classification , Ants/metabolism , Chromatography, Gas , Isomerism , North America , Piperidines/analysis , South America , Species SpecificitySubject(s)
Insecta , Pheromones , Animals , Arachnida , Arthropods , Chemical Phenomena , Chemistry , Coleoptera , Communication , Crustacea , Diptera , Insect ControlSubject(s)
Ants/analysis , Coumarins/metabolism , Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/metabolism , Salicylates/metabolism , Salivary Glands/metabolism , Animals , Chromatography, Gas , Coumarins/analysis , Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/analysis , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Male , Mass Spectrometry , Salicylates/analysis , Species Specificity , Spectrophotometry, UltravioletABSTRACT
Three caste-specific substances new to arthropod glandular secretions occur in the mandibular glands of male ants of five species in the genus Camponotus. These volatile compounds, which are not found in alate females or workers, have been identified as methyl 6-methyl salicylate, 2,4-dimethyl-2-hexenoic acid, and methyl anthranilate. The free acid has not been described previously.
ABSTRACT
The antibacterial properties of synthetic fire ant venom alkaloids were tested by disc-diffusion procedures against a variety of bacteria and by doubling concentrations in broth cultures of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by lower concentrations of trans-2-methyl-6-n-undecylpiperidine, trans-2-methyl-6-n-tridecylpiperidine, and trans-2-methyl-6-n-pentadecylpiperidine than were gram-negative bacteria. A fourth alkaloid, trans-2-methyl-6-(cis-6-pentadecenyl)piperidine, which was available in minute quantity and was tested by disc-diffusion only, was ineffective against all organisms.
Subject(s)
Alkaloids/pharmacology , Ants , Bacteria/drug effects , Venoms/pharmacology , Animals , Bacillus/drug effects , Microbial Sensitivity TestsSubject(s)
Alkaloids/analysis , Ants , Venoms/analysis , Animals , Chromatography, Gas , Macromolecular Substances , Piperidines/analysis , Spectrum AnalysisABSTRACT
An alkaloid, trans-2-methyl-6-n-undecylpiperidine (solenopsin A), has been isolated from the venom of the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima. The structure has been confirmed by an unambiguous synthesis.
