Isolation and identification of cuticular compounds from the mediterranean flour moth,Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), their antibacterial activities and biological functions |
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Authors: | Mahmoud Mehranian Reza Farshbaf Pourabad Nemat Sokhandan Bashir Alireza Motavalizadehkakhky |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Plant Protection, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran;2. Department of Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur Branch, Neyshabur, Iran |
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Abstract: | Cuticular analysis of Ephestia kuehniella females by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the presence of four groups of chemical compounds including alkane, alcohol, aldehyde and fatty acid. The cuticular n-alkanes ranged from 12 to 18, 20, 23, 24 and 29 carbon atoms in the chain. The most abundant n-alkanes detected in the cuticular extracts were C14 (14.98%) and C18 (8.15%). Cuticular fatty acids included hexadecenoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid and 9,12-octadecenoic acid. Two types of alcohol including, 2-methyl-Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienol and 9-methyl-Z-10-tetradecen-1-ol acetate, were found in the cuticular lipids of the females. Two aldehyde components, (E)-11-hexadecenal and 9,17-octadecadienal, were identified in the cuticular extract of E. kuehniella. Antibacterial activity of the cuticular compounds was tested against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Escherichia coli. These compounds from the moths inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria. The functional characteristics of the cuticular compounds operating as pheromones, species-associated compounds and host-resistant compounds to bacterial infection are discussed. |
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Keywords: | Cuticular hydrocarbon lipid insect antibacterial adaptation |
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