Volatile Compounds Secreted by Brindley’s Glands of Adult Triatoma infestans: Identification and biological activity of Previously Unidentified Compounds

GONZÁLEZ AUDINO, P., ALZOGARAY, R. A., VASSENA, C., MASUH, H., FONTÁN, A., GATTI, P, MARTÍNEZ, A., CAMPS, F., CORK, A., AND ZERBA, E.

JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY

SOC VECTOR ECOLOGY

Año: 2007 vol. 32 p. 75 - 82

1081-1710

            Volatile emissions of adult male Triatoma infestans were collected on non-polar SPME fibers and analyzed by gas chromatography linked to a mass spectrometer. A complex mixture of sixteen short-chain esters and acids were identified. The composition of short-chain aliphatic acids (ethanoic to nonanoic acids) was similar to previously reported results. The most abundant aliphatic acid was 2-methylpropanoic acid, constituting 18 % of the total volatile content. Also abundant were the esters 2- and 3-methylbutyl 2-methylpropanoate, which constituted 30 and 22% respectively of the total volatile content. A similar pattern of compounds was observed in the volatiles secreted by dissected male Brindley’s glands; however, in this case 2- and 3-methylbutan-1-ol were detected which were not found in live insect volatile emissions. Large variability in volatile composition was also observed between the glands excised from different insects. Electroantennographic (EAG) evaluation of the components of Brindley’s gland showed significant responses for 2- and 3-methylbutyl 2-methylpropanoate compared to control. The mixture of volatiles secreted by excised Brindley’s glands and the isolated 2- and 3-methylbutyl 2-methylpropanoate had repellent effects on both male and female T. infestans, possibly associated with a defensive strategy.