Kinetics of olfactory responses might largely depend on the odorant–receptor interaction and the odorant deactivation postulated for flux detectors

Experimental data together with modeling of pheromone perireceptor and receptor events in moths (Bombyx mori, Antheraea polyphemus) suggest that the kinetics of olfactory receptor potentials largely depend on the association of the odorant with the neuronal receptor molecules and the deactivation of the odorant accumulated around the receptor neuron. The first process could be responsible for the reaction times (mean about 400 ms) of the nerve impulses at threshold. The second process has been postulated for flux detectors such as olfactory sensilla of moths. The odorant deactivation could involve a modification of the pheromone-binding protein (PBP) that “locks” the pheromone inside the inner binding cavity of the protein. The model combines seemingly contradictory functions of the PBP such as pheromone transport, protection of the pheromone from enzymatic degradation, pheromone deactivation, and pheromone–receptor interaction. Model calculations reveal a density of at least 6,000 receptor molecules per µm² of neuronal membrane. The volatile decanoyl-thio-1,1,1-trifluoropropanone specifically blocks pheromone receptor neurons, probably when bound to the PBP and by competitive binding to the receptor molecules. The shallow dose–response curve of the receptor potential and altered response properties observed with pheromone derivatives or after adaptation may indicate shortened opening of ion channels.     

Simultaneous topography and recognition imaging on endothelial cells

Determining the landscape of specific binding sites on biological samples with high spatial accuracy (in the order of several nanometres) is an important task in many fields of biological science. During the past five years, dynamic recognition imaging (e.g. simultaneous topography and recognition (TREC) imaging) has proven to be a powerful technique in biophysical research. This technique becomes an indispensable tool for high-resolution receptor mapping as it has been successfully demonstrated on different biomolecular model systems. In these studies, the topographical imaging of receptor molecules is combined with molecular recognition by their cognate ligands bound to the atomic force microscope (AFM) tip via a flexible and distensible tether. In this review, we describe the principles of TREC imaging and provide a flavour of its recent application on endothelial cells.     

Release cells, breath analysis and in-mouth analysis in flavour research

The flavour of a food or beverage is not perceived in a single event, but rather as a series of events experienced as the food is consumed. Recent methods in flavour research have taken account of this, and techniques have been developed to study flavour release in model systems (release cells or simulated mouths) and from the mouth or nose of assessors, while consuming foods. However, while there is agreement on the need in some cases for hydration or artificial saliva in simulated mouths, other parameters must be optimised on a case-by-case basis. Individual variability may still be a problem in breath analysis, and further work is required to determine the extent to which there are real differences in volatile profiles. The techniques of release cells and breath analysis must now be applied to provide data, which will allow flavour release to be modelled.     

白蚁信息素研究进展

采用信息素防治白蚁这种世界性害虫是当前白蚁研究的一大热点。本文从化学和生物两个方面总结了几十年来国内外白蚁信息素及其类似物研究进展。讨论了影响信息素活性的几个因素。并根据最新的研究情况,对今后的信息素及其类似物的理论研究和应用情况进行了展望。     

Behavioural response of the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to host plant stimuli augmented with semiochemicals in the field

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Study of the volatile compounds produced by Debaryomyces hansenii NRRL Y-7426 during the fermentation of detoxified concentrated distilled grape marc hemicellulosic hydrolysates

The volatile compounds produced by Debaryomyces hansenii NRRL Y-7426 during the fermentation of detoxified concentrated distilled grape marc hemicellulosic hydrolysates was analysed by GC?CMS. Thirty-five compounds corresponding to ten groups of volatile compounds: terpenes, higher alcohols, C₆ alcohols, aldehydes, volatile acids, acetates, ethyl esters, volatile phenols, sulphur compounds and hydrocarbons were identified. The supplementation with commercial nutrients increased the concentration of 2-phenylethanol, a commercial flavour and fragrance compound, with a rose-like odour, employed in cosmetics and food industries; and other positive compounds to the aroma such as terpenes and ethyl esters. Non-supplemented media produced the highest content in higher alcohols, volatile acids, sulphur compounds and in the majority of hydrocarbons detected, meanwhile supplementation with vinasses hardly produced volatile compounds. Only four volatile compounds contributed directly to the aroma according to the OAVs values higher than 1. Finally, a PCA analysis allowed accounting for 100?% of the variance.     

Solid-phase microextraction for determining twelve orange flavour compounds in a model beverage emulsion

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography has been applied for the headspace analysis (HS) of 12 target flavour compounds in a model orange beverage emulsion. The main volatile flavour compounds studied were: acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, alpha-pinene, ethyl butyrate, beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, gamma-terpinene, octanal, decanal, linalool and citral (neral plus geranial). After screening the fibre type, the effect of other HS-SPME variables such as adsorption temperature (25-55 degrees C), extraction time (10-40 min), sample concentration (1-100% w/w), sample amount (5-10 g) and salt amount (0-30% w/w) were determined using a two-level fractional factorial design (2(5-2)) that was expanded further to a central composite design. It was found that an extraction process using a carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fibre coating at 15 masculineC for 50 min with 5 g of diluted emulsion 1% (w/w) and 30% (w/w) of sodium chloride under stirring mode resulted in the highest HS extraction efficiency. For all volatile flavour compounds, the linearity values were accurate in the concentration ranges studied (r(2) > 0.97). Average recoveries that ranged from 90.3 to 124.8% showed a good accuracy for the optimised method. The relative standard deviation for six replicates of all volatile flavour compounds was found to be less than 15%. For all volatile flavour compounds, the limit of detection ranged from 0.20 to 1.69 mg/L.     

Comparison of transcripts in Phalaenopsis bellina and Phalaenopsis equestris (Orchidaceae) flowers to deduce monoterpene biosynthesis pathway

Background  

Floral scent is one of the important strategies for ensuring fertilization and for determining seed or fruit set. Research on plant scents has hampered mainly by the invisibility of this character, its dynamic nature, and complex mixtures of components that are present in very small quantities. Most progress in scent research, as in other areas of plant biology, has come from the use of molecular and biochemical techniques. Although volatile components have been identified in several orchid species, the biosynthetic pathways of orchid flower fragrance are far from understood. We investigated how flower fragrance was generated in certainPhalaenopsis orchids by determining the chemical components of the floral scent, identifying floral expressed-sequence-tags (ESTs), and deducing the pathways of floral scent biosynthesis inPhalaneopsis bellina by bioinformatics analysis.     

Geraniol — A review of a commercially important fragrance material

Geraniol is a commercially important terpene alcohol occurring in the essential oils of several aromatic plants. It is one of the most important molecules in the flavour and fragrance industries and is a common ingredient in consumer products produced by these industries. In addition to its pleasant odour, geraniol is known to exhibit insecticidal and repellent properties and used as a natural pest control agent exhibiting low toxicity. Geraniol has been suggested to represent a new class of chemoprevention agents for cancer. Other biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and some vascular effects have also been investigated. The effect of geraniol as a penetration enhancer for transdermal drug delivery has also attracted the attention of researchers and formulation scientists. This review aims to coherently discuss some of the most important applications of geraniol and unites the results obtained from several studies reporting the biological properties of this molecule.     

蛾类性信息素生物合成途径及其调控

蛾类通过产生和识别物种特异性性信息素来引发后续交配行为,因此它在两性交配行为中至关重要.它们具有不同碳链长度、末端官能团、不同双键位置和构型等化学结构特征,本文详细讨论了不同蛾类性信息素的合成途径以及催化每一步反应的相关酶系,列举了15种夜蛾科不同亚科常见物种的性信息素组分及其比例,总结了产生特定比例性信息素的可能原因,查阅了夜蛾科不同物种已经鉴别的性信息素,并按照不同亚科、不同官能团和碳链长度对其进行分类,归纳了同一物种及其亲缘物种性信息素组分和比例的变异,总结了产生变异的分子机理,讨论了性信息素变异和物种进化的关系.最后以生物合成激活神经肽(PBAN)为主, 介绍了其调控途径和机制.本文旨在以不同的蛾类性信息素合成途径为线索,从共有合成途径出发深入了解其规律和共性,从特异合成途径出发探究物种间的进化和变异,展望未来的研究方向及其应用.     

Activation of pheromone-sensitive neurons is mediated by conformational activation of pheromone-binding protein

Detection of volatile odorants by olfactory neurons is thought to result from direct activation of seven-transmembrane odorant receptors by odor molecules. Here, we show that detection of the Drosophila pheromone, 11-cis vaccenyl acetate (cVA), is instead mediated by pheromone-induced conformational shifts in the extracellular pheromone-binding protein, LUSH. We show that LUSH undergoes a pheromone-specific conformational change that triggers the firing of pheromone-sensitive neurons. Amino acid substitutions in LUSH that are predicted to reduce or enhance the conformational shift alter sensitivity to cVA as predicted in vivo. One substitution, LUSH(D118A), produces a dominant-active LUSH protein that stimulates T1 neurons through the neuronal receptor components Or67d and SNMP in the complete absence of pheromone. Structural analysis of LUSH(D118A) reveals that it closely resembles cVA-bound LUSH. Therefore, the pheromone-binding protein is an inactive, extracellular ligand converted by pheromone molecules into an activator of pheromone-sensitive neurons and reveals a distinct paradigm for detection of odorants.     

Is the (E)‐β‐farnesene only volatile terpenoid in aphids?

Abstract: Herbivore insects use a broad range of chemical cues to locate their host to feed or to oviposit. Whether several plant volatiles are effective allelochemicals for insects, the latter also emit molecules which have infochemical role. The (E)‐β‐farnesene (EBF) is a well‐known aphid alarm pheromone commonly found in all previously tested species. Analysis of the released molecules from 23 aphid species, mainly collected on their natural host plant from May to July, was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. While EBF was identified as the main volatile substance in 16 species, alone or associated with other molecules, the alarm pheromone was only a minor component of the volatile molecule pattern of five other species. Moreover, two species, Euceraphis punctipennis and Drepanosiphum platanoides, did not release EBF at all but other terpenes were identified. This original observation raised the question on the utility and the source of the non‐EBF volatiles. Are these potential infochemical substances produced by the aphid or only absorbed from the host plant? Here we determined that terpenes released by insects were not only provided by the host plants. Indeed, Megoura viciae emitted additional molecules than the ones from several aphid species reared on the same host plant. Moreover, no systematic relation between the feeding behaviour of the aphid species and the volatile releases was observed. Aphid terpene composition and proportion would provide reliable cues to identify the emitting organism, plant or insect. The next step of this work will be to determine the infochemical role of terpenes found in the range of tested aphid samples to better understand the relations between the different tritrophic levels.     

The effect of viscosity on the perception of flavour

A trained sensory panel assessed flavour and sweetness intensity in solutions containing varying concentrations of hydroxy propyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sugar and flavour volatile. The flavour and sweetness of the viscous solutions were rated using magnitude estimation with a controlled modulus. In addition, the concentration of volatile released on the breath was measured using MS Nose. For low concentrations of HPMC (<0.5 g/100 g), perceived flavour intensity remained the same; however, a steady decrease was noted at higher concentrations (>0.6 g/100 g). The change in perceived intensity occurred at the point of random coil overlap (c(*)) for this hydrocolloid. The perceived sweetness of the solution showed a similar pattern with increasing HPMC concentration, although the inflection at c(*) was not so obvious. Despite the change in perceived flavour intensity, the actual concentration of volatile measured on the breath was not affected by the change in HPMC concentration. Low-order polynomial models were produced to describe perceived flavour intensity and sweetness in viscous solutions containing HPMC and potential explanations for the changes in perception are discussed.     

天牛性信息素、引诱植物和植物性引诱剂的研究与应用

由于目前所拥有的各种天牛防治方法都难以获得理想的防治效果,研发新型天牛控制技术势在必行。其中利用引诱剂是最具潜力的研究领域之一。对天牛的性信息素、引诱植物和植物性引诱剂3个方面的研究及应用作了综述。天牛雌、雄成虫均可释放性信息素进行两性间的通讯联系。天牛性信息素的分泌部位因天牛种类不同而存在着差异。雄、雌成虫触角上均有感受性信息素的感受器,但报道较多的是雄虫感受器。迄今已鉴定出13种天牛性信息素的化学结构。一般而言,天牛成虫的嗜食树种,对天牛具有较强的引诱作用,可作为诱饵树种使用。寄主植物的某些挥发性物质对天牛成虫也有独特的引诱效果。除此之外,对天牛性信息素、引诱植物和植物性引诱剂研究与应用中存在的困难也进行了讨论,并对它们的应用前景做了展望。     

OLFACTORY RESPONSES OF COTTON BOLLWORM,HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA TO SEX PHEROMONE AND PLANT VOLATILE COMPONENTS*

Abstract Electroantennograms (EAGs) were recorded from unmated, laboratory-reared male and female Helicover pa armigera (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) adults to two sex pheromone components and a range of plant volatile components, some of which are known volatiles from leaves and fruits. The female-produced sex pheromone was not detected by other female moths. The sex pheromone components to which male moths responded previously show to possess biological activity. As for plant volatile components, a large degree of EAG response uniformity between male and female moth was observed. The greatest EAG responses of all plant volatiles tested were elicited by monoenic C-6 alcohol and aldehyde. They are constituents of the “general green-leaf odor” that emanates from most plants. The potential adaptive benefit of selective perception to sex pheromone and green-leaf volatile components is discussed.     

Hormone-pheromone relationships of male Tenebrio molitor

Males of the beetle Tenebrio molitor produce a volatile sex pheromone which attracts females of the same species. The pheromone level peaks 8 days after emergence and then reaches a plateau. Elimination of endocrine centers by decapitating male adults 24 hr following adult ecdysis did not impair pheromone production. Treatment of decapitated males with juvenile hormone analogues did not make any detectable difference in the levels of pheromone activity. However, undecapitated males treated with juvenile hormone analogue showed a significant increase in pheromone activity when compared with those that had been decapitated and subsequently treated with juvenile hormone analogue. This observation is discussed in the light of published research on the effect of juvenile hormone on pheromone activity of females of T. molitor.     

Utilisation of the MVA pathway to produce elevated levels of the sesquiterpene α-copaene in potato tubers

Potato flavour is a complex trait resulting from the presence of a combination of volatile and non-volatile compounds. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of specifically altering the volatile content of tubers and assess its impact on flavour. Tuber-specific over-expression of a potato α-copaene synthase gene resulted in enhanced levels (up to 15-fold higher than controls) of the sesquiterpene α-copaene. A positive correlation (R² = 0.8) between transgene expression level and α-copaene abundance was observed. No significant changes in the levels of volatiles other than α-copaene were detected. Non-volatile flavour compounds (sugars, glycoalkaloids, major umami amino acids and 5′-ribonucleotides) were also determined. Relationships between flavour compounds and sensory evaluation data were investigated. Evaluators could not detect any aroma differences in the transgenic samples compared with controls and no significant differences in taste attributes were found. Thus although successful engineering of potato tubers to accumulate high levels of the flavour volatile α-copaene was achieved, sensory analysis suggests that α-copaene is not a major component of potato flavour.     

Sensory Aspects of Trail-Following Behaviors in the Asian Longhorned Beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anoplophora glabripennis</Emphasis>

Anoplophora glabripennis has a complex suite of mate-finding behaviors, the functions of which are not entirely understood. These behaviors are elicited by a number of factors, including visual and chemical cues. Chemical cues include a male-produced volatile semiochemical acting as a long-range sex pheromone, a female-produced cuticular hydrocarbon blend serving as a sex-identification contact pheromone, and a recently identified female-produced trail sex pheromone that is followed by mate-seeking males. However, the sensory appendages and sensilla on these appendages used to detect the trail sex pheromone are unknown. We evaluated the ability of virgin male A. glabripennis to follow a sex pheromone trail after removal of the terminal four antennal segments and/or the maxillary and labial palps using a two-choice behavioral bioassay. We also tested the ability of males to follow the trail sex pheromone using volatile pheromone cues only, without physical contact with the pheromone. Results indicate that the palps are primarily responsible for sensing the pheromone, with males lacking palps unable to respond behaviorally to the trail sex pheromone. Under the conditions of this study, males could not follow the sex pheromone trail without direct contact, suggesting that olfaction may not be involved in detection of this pheromone. However, we did not determine to what degree the trail pheromone chemicals can volatilize under our experimental conditions. This work is important in elucidating the behaviors and sensory structures involved in mate-finding by this species on host trees, and these studies may help determine whether the trail sex pheromone has applications for monitoring and management.     

棉铃虫Helicverpa armigera对性外激素和植物气味物质的嗅觉反应(英文)

本文用EAG技术研究棉铃虫对性外激素和植物气味物质的嗅觉反应。供试的气味物质有棉铃虫性外激素的二种主要组分和36种与棉铃虫寄主植物有关的植物气味物质。试验结果表明：1）只有棉铃虫雄蛾对性外激素组分产生反应,二种性外激素的组分中,Z-11-16：AL能引起较强的EAG反应。2）对植物气味物质,雌雄棉铃虫之间的嗅觉反应没有明显的差异。棉铃虫对性外激素和植物气味组分的嗅觉感受过程是一个有选择性的感受过程：不同种类的气味物质能引起不同的EAG反应。只有棉铃虫雄蛾才对性外激素组分起反应,在二种性外激素组分中：主要组分：Z-11-16：AL引起的EAG反应最高,高于大多数植物气味物质。次要组分Z-9-16：AL引起的EAG反应很弱。雌、雄棉铃虫对植物气味组分的嗅觉反应的选择性表现出一致的规律：对苯甲醛和绿叶气味物质的反应最高。单萜类中的萜烯衍生物（萜类醇、醛、酯等）的触角电位反应次之。棉铃虫对大多数的供试化合物的EAG反应都很小。最后,作者讨论了性外激素和植物气味物质对棉铃虫行为的作用。