阿维菌素与植物精油复配对朱砂叶螨杀螨的增效作用研究

为了得到对朱砂叶螨(Tetranychuscinnabarinus)具有较好杀螨活性的植物精油与阿维菌素复配配方,并为杀螨剂开发应用提供指导,本研究采用喷雾法测定了柠檬草、广藿香、山鸡椒、亚洲薄荷植物精油及阿维菌素对朱砂叶螨的毒力,分别采用共毒因子法和共毒系数法评价了山鸡椒和亚洲薄荷精油对阿维菌素的增效作用和复配最佳配比.结果表明,柠檬草精油和广藿香精油基本无杀螨活性,山鸡椒精油、亚洲薄荷精油处理朱砂叶螨24h后LC50分别为772.801mg/L和1040.187mg/L.阿维菌素与亚洲薄荷1∶272,1∶679复配具有增效作用.阿维菌素与亚洲薄荷1∶400复配时共毒系数最大,可达160.因此,阿维菌素与亚洲薄荷1∶400复配防治朱砂叶螨具有明显增效作用,这为杀螨剂的开发应用研究提供了参考.     

Monitoring pesticide resistance of Tetranychus cinnabarinus in Kunming' s flower regions

采用玻片浸渍法测定了昆明地区花卉朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)对阿维菌素、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、溴虫腈、丁醚脲、炔螨特和哒螨灵的抗性.结果表明,昆明北郊和呈贡地区玫瑰上的朱砂叶螨雌成螨对阿维菌素与甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐产生了极高的抗药性,阿维菌素对2个地区的朱砂叶螨的LC50分别为40.25 mg·L -1和19.67 mg·L-1,相对毒力指数分别为敏感品系的2 441.08倍和1 192.86倍;甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对其LC50分别为118.18 mg·L-1和9.24 mg·L-1,相对毒力指数是敏感品系的2 805.73倍和219.35倍.昆明北郊的朱砂叶螨对溴虫腈的相对毒力指数是敏感品系的2 371.40倍,呈贡和晋宁分别为162.01倍和173.38倍.丁醚脲对北郊、呈贡和晋宁朱砂叶螨的LC50分别为244.58 mg·L-1、385.41 mg·L-1和54.93 mg·L-1,相对毒力指数在3.01倍～21.10倍之间.北郊、呈贡和晋宁的朱砂叶螨种群对炔螨特和哒螨灵的LC50分别为155.39 mg·L-1、424.49 mg·L-1和62.70 mg·L-1,其相对毒力指数是敏感品系的6.45倍、17.63倍和2.60倍.朱砂叶螨对药剂抗药性水平趋势从高到低为:阿维菌素、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐＞溴虫腈、丁醚脲＞炔螨特、哒螨灵,抗性最高的地区为昆明北郊,晋宁相对较低.     

瑞香狼毒根提取物对山楂叶螨的生物活性

采用不同的生物活性测定方法比较了瑞香狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme L.)根部4种不同溶剂提取物的杀螨活性。结果表明,瑞香狼毒根提取物对山楂叶螨(Tetranychus viennensis Zacher)有很好的触杀和内吸活性。在触杀活性测试中,石油醚提取物和氯仿提取物的杀螨活性最高;在内吸作用中,乙醇、氯仿和石油醚提取物的杀螨活性均较高,杀螨效果显著。在对石油醚提取物的不同溶剂萃取物进行生物活性追踪测定中发现,石油醚萃取物和氯仿萃取物具有较高的生物活性,浓度为0.6 g.L-1,山楂叶螨的24 h校正死亡率分别达到93.22%和79.66%。     

亚致死浓度除虫脲对朱砂叶螨生长和繁殖的影响

【目的】除虫脲属于苯甲酰脲类杀虫剂,本研究旨在探讨亚致死浓度除虫脲对朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus生长发育和繁殖的影响,为除虫脲的合理使用提供一定的理论依据。【方法】本文采用叶碟浸渍法测定了除虫脲对朱砂叶螨的毒力,生命表技术探讨亚致死剂量除虫脲对朱砂叶螨实验种群生长发育和繁殖的影响。【结果】结果表明除虫脲对朱砂叶螨卵的LC50、LC30、LC10分别是15.825、6.089、1.534mg/L。和对照组相比,亚致死剂量(LC10和LC30)除虫脲处理朱砂叶螨卵后,幼螨期、前若期、后若期历期无显著差异,卵期、静息期却显著延长;卵的孵化率、幼螨存活率、若螨存活率、每雌日均产卵量、平均每雌产卵量、雌螨平均寿命均降低;各处理组产卵前期显著延长;产卵期缩短,其中LC30处理组产卵期显著缩短;各处理组的净生殖率(R0)显著降低,LC30组最低;内禀增长率(rm)、周限增长率(λ)均降低,而LC30组显著降低;种群倍增时间(Dt)延长,其中LC30组显著延长;平均世代历期(T)、性比例各处理组均无显著差异。【结论】亚致死剂量(LC10和LC30)除虫脲能够抑制朱砂叶螨的寿命和繁殖力。     

Effect of temperature on toxicities of scopoletin and bisdemethoxycurcumin against Tetranychus cinnabarinus ( Acari:Tetranychidae )

为明确植物性杀螨活性物质东莨菪内酯与双脱甲氧基姜黄素对朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus雌成螨毒力的温度效应,采用玻片浸渍法测定了两者不同温度下的杀螨活性.结果表明:在8～26℃的温度范围内,东莨菪内酯和双脱甲氧基姜黄素对朱砂叶螨雌成螨的毒力呈正温度系数;在26～34°C的温度范围内两者对朱砂叶螨雌成螨的毒力呈负温度系数.其中26℃下东莨菪内酯和双脱甲氧基姜黄素表现出较好杀螨活性,处理后48 h的致死中浓度(LC50)分别为0.1884和0.3376 mg/mL;23℃下的毒力次之.致死中浓度(y)与温度(x)关系的拟合方程为:东莨菪内酯:y1=0.006x12-0.278x1+3.403;双脱甲氧基姜黄素:y2 =0.007x22 -0.354x2+4.826.对y求最小值得出,东莨菪内酯和双脱甲氧基姜黄素对朱砂叶螨雌成螨的最高毒力温度分别为23.2℃和25.3℃,LC50分别为0.1828和0.3504 mg/mL.据此认为,在一定的温度范围内,随着温度的升高,这两种植物性杀螨活性物质对朱砂叶螨的毒力与温度先呈正相关,到达最佳毒力温度后再呈负相关.     

栽培型和野生型黄花蒿提取物对朱砂叶螨杀螨活性比较

研究了野生型和栽培型黄花蒿叶丙酮提取物对朱砂叶螨的生物活性.结果表明:栽培型和野生型48 h的LC50分别为0.295和0.567 mg·ml-1,以栽培型的杀螨毒力较高;对2种提取物进行柱层析分离,野生型最终分离出19个馏分,栽培型分离出17个馏分,其中野生型的第11馏分与栽培型的第13馏分的杀螨活性在2.5 mg·ml-1,处理48 h的校正死亡率均为100%,与其他组分存在显著性差异;将杀螨活性较好的馏分进行毒力测定得出,处理48 h,野生型馏分11的LC50为0.120 mg·ml-1;栽培型馏分10、12和13的LC50分别为0.144、0.163和0.117 mg·ml-1.表明栽培型黄花蒿叶丙酮提取物对朱砂叶螨的触杀活性优于野生型.     

常用杀虫杀螨剂对腐食酪螨的毒力测定

采用药膜法和玻片浸渍法分别测定了14种常用杀虫杀螨剂对腐食酪螨雌成螨和卵的毒力。结果表明:各药剂对雌成螨都有一定作用,但对卵没有杀伤效果。其中,对雌成螨毒力最高的为杀螨多,LC50为0.2568 mg.L-1;毒力最低的为敌敌畏,LC50为320.4793 mg.L-1。     

亚致死质量浓度联苯肼酯对截形叶螨解毒酶系的影响

【目的】明确联苯肼酯的亚致死质量浓度对截形叶螨Tetranychus truncatus解毒酶系的影响,从而为进一步揭示截形叶螨的代谢抗性及联苯肼酯的科学使用提供理论依据和指导。【方法】采用叶片浸渍法测定了联苯肼酯对截形叶螨雌成螨的LC50,应用毒力回归方程计算截形叶螨雌成螨死亡率为10%和30%时联苯肼酯的亚致死质量浓度LC10和LC30,并处理截形叶螨雌成螨,以甲醇水溶液作为对照,测定并分析其体内羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)、多功能氧化酶(MFO)的比活力及酶动力学常数(米氏常数Km和最大反应速率Vmax)的变化。【结果】比活力与对照相比,LC10、LC30处理后,截形叶螨雌成螨体内CarE、GSTs和MFO的比活力均显著升高(P0.05),且LC30处理组CarE、GSTs(除24 h外)比活力显著高于LC10(P0.05)。酶动力学常数:体内CarE的Km显著减小或无明显变化(P0.05),Vmax显著增大(P0.05),即CarE与底物亲和力增大,反应速率加快;而GSTs和MFO的Km显著增大或无明显变化(P0.05),Vmax均显著减小(P0.05),说明GSTs和MFO与底物亲和力低,反应速率降低。【结论】联苯肼酯对截形叶螨雌成螨体内的解毒酶系有诱导作用,CarE在截形叶螨对该杀螨剂的代谢中起主导作用。     

昆明地区鲜切花产区朱砂叶螨抗药性监测

采用玻片浸渍法测定了昆明地区花卉朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus(Boisduval)对阿维菌素、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、溴虫腈、丁醚脲、炔螨特和哒螨灵的抗性。结果表明,昆明北郊和呈贡地区玫瑰上的朱砂叶螨雌成螨对阿维菌素与甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐产生了极高的抗药性,阿维菌素对2个地区的朱砂叶螨的LC50分别为40.25mg·L-1和19.67mg·L-1,相对毒力指数分别为敏感品系的2441.08倍和1192.86倍;甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对其LC50分别为118.18mg·L-1和9.24mg·L-1,相对毒力指数是敏感品系的2805.73倍和219.35倍。昆明北郊的朱砂叶螨对溴虫腈的相对毒力指数是敏感品系的2371.40倍,呈贡和晋宁分别为162.01倍和173.38倍。丁醚脲对北郊、呈贡和晋宁朱砂叶螨的LC50分别为244.58mg·L-1、385.41mg·L-1和54.93mg·L-1,相对毒力指数在3.01倍～21.10倍之间。北郊、呈贡和晋宁的朱砂叶螨种群对炔螨特和哒螨灵的LC50分别为155.39mg·L-1、424.49mg·L-1和62.70mg·L-1,其相对毒力指数是敏感品系的6.45倍、17.63倍和2.60倍。朱砂叶螨对药剂抗药性水平趋势从高到低为:阿维菌素、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐>溴虫腈、丁醚脲>炔螨特、哒螨灵,抗性最高的地区为昆明北郊,晋宁相对较低。     

凹唇壁蜂寄生螨安全防治药剂的筛选

本研究在实验室条件下对凹唇壁蜂Osmia excavata Alfken寄生螨的安全防治药剂进行筛选。通过玻片浸渍法和浸虫法分别室内测定了12种常用杀螨剂和4种常用试剂对凹唇壁蜂蜂茧、成蜂及其寄生螨Tortonia sp.的急性毒力。结果显示,常用药剂中的双甲脒、乳酸、次氯酸钠、冰乙酸杀螨效果较好而对壁蜂和蜂茧的杀伤力低,其对蜂螨的LC50分别为81.81 mg/L,0.06 mg/L,0.14 mg/L,0.34 mg/L;对壁蜂成蜂的LC50分别为170.05 mg/L,0.64 mg/L,0.31 mg/L,0.47 mg/L;对蜂茧的LC50分别为5653.30 mg/L,0.47 mg/L,1.2 mg/L,0.59 mg/L。常用药剂哒螨灵杀螨效果较好,对蜂茧安全性高,对蜂茧的LC50为7441.91 mg/L,但对壁蜂成蜂不安全(LC50=648.58 mg/L)。阿维菌素对壁蜂成蜂、蜂茧和蜂螨毒力均较高,LC50分别为0.77 mg/L,122.66 mg/L,126.54 mg/L。因此,推荐使用对蜂螨药效好、对壁蜂和蜂茧安全的药剂双甲脒、乳酸、次氯酸钠和冰乙酸。建议哒螨灵、三氯杀螨醇在出蜂期间禁止使用,可以在茧期使用。常用药剂中唑螨酯、甲维盐及常用试剂中的甲酸等对蜂螨的效果相对较差而对蜂茧的影响较高,因而不建议使用。阿维菌素可用于预先处理蜂巢和蜂管。     

Growth inhibitory and antifeedant activity of extracts from Melia dubia to Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera larvae

The growth inhibitory activity and deterrency of Melia dubia (Meliaceae) extracts to Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera were investigated. Artificial diet bioassays using neonate larvae of both S. litura and H. armigera indicated that dichloroethane (DCE) and methanol (Me) extracts of M. dubia inhibited growth in a dose dependent manner. DCE and Me-5II fractions also resulted in 50% deterrency at concentrations of 22.5 and 16.8 micrograms/cm2 respectively against S. litura larvae in a leaf disc-choice test. The DCE-5 fraction was found to be more toxic to larvae (LC50 of 0.65%) than the Me-5II (LC50 of 0.8%), 72 hr after topical application. Both fractions lack contact toxicity, but the deterrent effect persisted for at least 60 hr under laboratory conditions. Although salannin was isolated from the DCE fraction to show antifeedant activity, the physico-chemical characteristics of the active fractions DCE-5 and Me-5II were not identical with either salannin or azadirachtin.     

土荆芥生物总碱对家蝇的毒杀作用及药剂敏感性的影响

通过室内毒力测定和生化分析方法,测定了土荆芥生物总碱对敌百虫抗性种群,溴氰菊酯抗性种群,敏感种群等3个家蝇(Musca domestica)种群成虫的毒杀效果,土荆芥生物总碱处理前后家蝇种群成虫对溴氰菊酯和敌百虫的药剂敏感性变化,以及对家蝇成虫羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶的活力的影响。结果表明,土荆芥生物总碱不仅对家蝇有毒杀效果,处理后能提高家蝇对杀虫剂的敏感性,而且能抑制家蝇体内解毒酶系活性。土荆芥生物总碱对不同种群家蝇成虫的LD_(50)没有显著差异;土荆芥生物总碱处理前后,敌百虫对抗性种群和敏感种群的LD_(50)比值分别为1.6277和1.2914,溴氰菊酯对抗性种群和敏感种群的LD_(50)比值分别为2.0768和1.3871;土荆芥生物总碱处理前后,家蝇敌百虫抗性种群、溴氰菊酯抗性种群和敏感种群成虫的羧酸酯酶活性比值分别为1.1692、1.2947和1.2259,谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性比值分别为1.2476、1.6519和1.0570。     

Palladium(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine-derived thiosemicarbazones: spectral characterization, structural studies and cytotoxic activity

Palladium(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Bz4DH) and its N4-methyl (H2Bz4M) and N4-phenyl (H2Bz4Ph) derivatives were obtained and fully characterized. [Pd(2Bz4DH)Cl] (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=11.671(1), b=10.405(1), c=13.124(1), beta=115.60(1) degrees and Z=4; [Pd(2Bz4M)Cl] (2) in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=9.695(1), b=15.044(1), c=10.718(1) A, beta=105.38(1) degrees and Z=4 and [Pd(2Bz4Ph)Cl] (3) in the triclinic space group P1 with a=9.389(1), b=13.629(1), c=15.218(1) A, alpha=70.25(1), beta=73.46(1), gamma=83.57(1) degrees and two independent molecules per asymmetric unit (Z=4). All complexes show a quite similar planar fourfold environment around palladium(II). A negatively charged organic molecule acts as a tridentate ligand and binds to the metal through the pyridine nitrogen, the imine nitrogen and the sulfur atom. A chloride ion occupies the fourth coordination site. The planar complexes stack nearly parallel to one another in the lattice conforming a layered crystal structure. The cytotoxic activity of the thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes was tested against the MCF-7, TK-10 and UACC-62 human tumor cell lines. The ligands exhibit lower values of GI50 and LC50 than the complexes, H2Bz4Ph being the most active with GI50<0.003 microM; LC50=13.4 microM; GI50=9.3 microM, LC50=12.9 microM; GI50<0.003, LC50=13.8 microM in the MCF-7, TK-10 and UACC-62 cell lines, respectively. Among the complexes, [Pd(2Bz4Ph)Cl] (3) exhibited the lowest values of GI50 in the three studied cell lines.     

瑞香狼毒根中活性物质的分离鉴定及作用机理

以瑞香狼毒根为研究材料,模式植物拟南芥为受体,采用实验室活体生物实验方法研究了瑞香狼毒根提取物及不同极性溶剂萃取物对7 d龄拟南芥幼苗的生长抑制作用;采用活性跟踪的化合物分离方法,分析了其中的活性化合物成分,并通过拟南芥DR5-GUS转基因株系,研究了单体化合物对拟南芥生长发育及根系生长素分布的影响.结果显示,瑞香狼毒根乙醇提取物对拟南芥有很强的生长抑制作用,其乙酸乙酯和氯仿萃取物的抑制活性最为显著,从氯仿萃取物中分离得到两种香豆素类化合物伞形花内酯(1)和西瑞香素(2),其中化合物1能够显著抑制拟南芥幼苗生长及根系发育,且明显降低了根部内源生长素的分布水平;化合物2也有较为明显的抑制活性.研究表明,氯仿和乙酸乙酯萃取物是瑞香狼毒植物毒活性的主要有效部位;伞形花内酯(1)和西瑞香素(2)是瑞香狼毒植物毒活性的有效成分,化合物1对拟南芥生长发育的抑制作用与生长素途径密切相关.     

Relationship between Cancer Slope Factor and Acute Toxicity in Rats and Fish

The purpose of this study was to examine bivariate relationships among cancer slope factor (CSF) and acute toxicity in rats and salmonid fish. Chemicals (n=43) were selected based on the availability of both oral CSF and acute toxicity data (rat oral median lethal dose [LD50] or salmonid median lethal concentration [LC50]). Rat oral LD50, salmonid LC50, and oral CSF data were log-transformed, and a Bonferroni-adjusted alpha level was set at 0.05 for subsequent correlation analysis. A significant correlation was observed between CSF and rat oral LD50 (r=?0.61) but not for CSF and salmonid LC50 (r=?0.29). Moreover, rat and fish acute toxicity were not significantly correlated (r=0.38). The significant correlation between CSF and rat oral LD50 compares favorably with published results reported in related studies. Accordingly, these results support prediction of carcinogenic potency, expressed as oral CSF, based in part on acute toxicity in rats.     

t-[35S]Butylbicyclophosphorothionate Binding Sites in Invertebrate Tissues

Specific high affinity binding of the cage convulsant t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) was observed in membrane homogenates of housefly heads and crayfish abdominal muscles. [35S]TBPS binding in these two invertebrate tissues was inhibited by biologically active cage convulsants, picrotoxin analogs, and barbiturates. The housefly binding sites were inhibited most potently by several insecticides. Approximately 50% of total binding was displaceable by excess (0.1 mM) nonradioactive TBPS, picrotoxinin, ethyl bicyclophosphate, or dieldrin. Optimal binding assay conditions for housefly homogenates included pH 7.5, 22 degrees C temperature, 0.3 M chloride concentration, and incubation for 60 min; for crayfish homogenates, 4 degrees C temperature and 150-min incubations were optimal. Scatchard plots of equilibrium binding indicated one site in both tissues (KD = 50 nM, Bmax = 250 fmol/mg protein in housefly; KD = 25 nM, Bmax = 100 fmol/mg protein in crayfish). Association kinetics in housefly were consistent with one rate constant (k+1 = 8 X 10(6) M-1 min-1), but dissociation was described better by two rate constants (k-1 = 0.28 min-1 and 0.042 min-1; calculated KD values of 80 nM and 12 nM). Displacement by cage convulsants showed Hill numbers near 0.5, also consistent with two populations of affinity, while displacement by other drugs showed Hill numbers near 1.0. [35S]TBPS binding in insects was most potently inhibited by the insecticides dieldrin (IC50 = 50 nM), aldrin, and lindane (200 nM), in a stereospecific manner, consistent with this binding site being the receptor for biological toxicity. [35S]TBPS binding was also inhibited by relatively high concentrations of some pyrethroid insecticides, such as deltamethrin and cypermethrin (1-2 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Insecticidal activity of selected monoterpenoids and rosemary oil to Agriotes obscurus (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Acute toxicities of three naturally occurring monoterpenoid essential oil constituents and the essential oil of rosemary were tested against late instars of Agriotes obscurus (L.) (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Both contact and volatile toxicities of thymol, citronellal, eugenol, and rosemary oil were determined. Also, phytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated on corn germination and seedling development. Thymol had the greatest contact toxicity (LD50 = 196.0 microg/larva), whereas citronellal and eugenol were less toxic (LD50 = 404.9 and 516.5 microg/larva, respectively). Rosemary oil did not show any significant contact toxicity, even at 1,600 microg/larva. In terms of volatile toxicity, citronellal was the most toxic to wireworm larvae (LC50 = 6.3 microg/cm3) followed by rosemary oil (LC50 = 15.9 microg/cm3), thymol (LC50 = 17.1 microg/cm3), and eugenol (LC50 = 20.9 microg/cm3). Thymol, eugenol, and citronellal significantly inhibited corn seed germination and development, whereas rosemary oil had only minimal phytotoxic effects.     

Photolabeling of the 6 and 10 S conformations of gizzard myosin with 3'(2')-O-(4-Benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP. Proline 324 is near the active site

3'(2')-O-(4-Benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (Bz2ATP) was used as a photoaffinity label of the ATP binding site of unphosphorylated chicken gizzard myosin. Specific photolabeling of the active site of 6 S myosin was assured by forming a stable myosin.Co(II)Bz2ADP.orthovanadate complex (termed trapping) prior to irradiation. Co2+ was used in place of Mg2+ to prevent the known photoreaction of vanadate with myosin which destabilizes the trapped complex. [3H] Bz2ADP.Pi was also stably trapped on gizzard myosin by forming the 10 S folded conformation of the protein in the presence of [3H]Bz2ATP and Mg2+. Irradiation of 6 S myosin containing orthovanadate trapped [3H] Bz2ADP or 10 S trapped [3H]Bz2ADP.Pi gave 32 and 30% covalent incorporation, respectively. The 50-kDa and precursor 68-kDa tryptic peptides of the subfragment-1 heavy chain derived from both forms of myosin were found to contain essentially all of the covalently attached [3H]Bz2ADP. Parallel experiments with untrapped [3H]Bz2ADP showed extensive nonspecific labeling of all of the major tryptic peptides and the light chains. Eight labeled peptides, isolated from 6 and 10 S photolabeled myosin, contained the sequence G319-H-V-P-I-X-A-Q326, where X corresponds to labeled proline 324. [14C]Bz2ADP was previously shown to label serine 324 in skeletal subfragment-1 (Mahmood, R., Elzinga, M., and Yount, R. G. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 3989-3995), which corresponds to alanine 325 in the gizzard sequence. Thus, this region of the 50-kDa tryptic fragment, near the nucleotide binding site, in both skeletal and smooth muscle myosins, must fold in essentially the same manner.     

Fouling deterrent chemical defence in three muricid gastropod egg masses from the Southeast coast of India

The egg masses of the marine muricid gastropod molluscs Chicoreus virgineus, Chicoreus ramosus and Rapana rapiformis were studied for antifouling activities. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of crude extracts for the inhibition of byssal production and attachment of the brown mussel Perna indica were 650 mug ml(-1), 1150 mug ml(-1) and 925 mug ml(-1) from the three muricid gastropods, respectively. Higher LC(50) values than EC(50) values and 100% recovery of the mussels in the toxicity assay indicated the non-toxic nature of the extracts. The gradient partitioning of the egg mass extracts and subsequent antimicrofouling screening against 40 biofilm bacteria showed wide-spectrum antibacterial activity of the medium polar fraction from C. virgineus; the non-polar fraction from R. rapiformis and both non-polar and medium polar fractions from C. ramosus. The antimicrofouling activity from extracts of the three egg masses was found to be more prominent than antimacrofouling activity. This may be attributed to the targeting of a defence strategy against microbes in order to protect the developing mollusc embryos.     

Isolation and primary structure of a potent toxin from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing.

A potent toxin has been purified from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing using the ion-exchange resin CM-Sepharose CL-6B at basic pH. The toxin, designated CsE M1, comprised 65 amino acid residues and its primary structure was established as: Lys-Glu-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Val-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Thr10-Gly-Cys-Lys-Tyr-Glu-Cys- Leu-Lys-Leu- Gly20-Asp-Asn-Asp-Tyr-Cys-Leu-Arg-Glu-Cys-Arg30-Gln-Gln-Tyr- Gly-Lys-Ser-Gly-Gly - Tyr-Cys40-Tyr-Ala-Phe-Ala-Cys-Trp-Cys-Thr-His-Leu50-Tyr-Glu- Gln-Ala-Val-Val-Trp - Pro-Leu-Pro60-Asn-Lys-Thr-Cys-Asn. CsE M1 is the most lethal protein to be identified in C. sculpturatus venom and the LD50 of the toxin, determined by subcutaneous injection into Swiss mice, is 87 micrograms/kg. CsE M1 shows strong structural similarity (92% positional identity) to the most potent beta-toxin, Css II, from the Mexican scorpion, Centruroides suffusus suffusus but is quite dissimilar to the previously characterized toxins with low potency isolated from C. sculpturatus Ewing.