Magnetic material arrangement in oriented termites: a magnetic resonance study

Temperature dependence of the magnetic resonance is used to study the magnetic material in oriented Neocapritermes opacus (N.o.) termite, the only prey of the migratory ant Pachycondyla marginata (P.m.). A broad line in the g=2 region, associated to isolated nanoparticles shows that at least 97% of the magnetic material is in the termite’s body (abdomen + thorax). From the temperature dependence of the resonant field and from the spectral linewidths, we estimate the existence of magnetic nanoparticles 18.5 ± 0.3 nm in diameter and an effective magnetic anisotropy constant, K_eff between 2.1 and 3.2 × 10⁴ erg/cm³. A sudden change in the double integrated spectra at about 100 K for N.o. with the long body axis oriented perpendicular to the magnetic field can be attributed to the Verwey transition, and suggests an organized film-like particle system.     

Antibiotics from Australian terrestrial invertebrates. Part 1: Antibacterial trinervitadienes from the termite Nasutitermes triodiae

The antibacterial activity of an extract of the Australian termite Nasutitermes triodiae (Isoptera: Termitidae) (Froggatt) is due to the presence of a group of trinervitanes, diterpenes unique to termite genera within the subfamily Nasutitermitinae. The major active components are novel hydroxylated 1(15),8(19)-trinervitadienes and the known 1(15),8(9)-trinervitadiene-2β,3α-diol. This constitutes the first observation of hydroxylation of the trinervitane skeleton at the 5- and 18-positions, and of the substantial antimicrobial activity of trinervitane diterpenes.     

NMR structure determination of (11E)-trinervita-1(14),2,11-triene, a new diterpene from sexual glands of termites

Female alates of Nasutitermes ephratae termites from Guadeloupe and Nasutitermes sp. from Brazil produce a diterpene hydrocarbon of the molecular formula C₂₀H₃₀ as the main component of their tergal gland secretion. Analysis of NMR, IR, and mass spectra of the diterpene led to a structure of (11E)-trinervita-1(14),2,11-triene. Based on a comparison with the published oxygenated trinervitane skeleton from termites we prefer the enantiomer with absolute configurations (4R,7S,8R,15S,16S). The suggested structure is supported by ab initio quantum chemical calculation of ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts for the optimized geometry of the molecule.     

The detection and mapping of the spatial distribution of insect defense compounds by desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Many insects use chemicals synthesized in exocrine glands and stored in reservoirs to protect themselves. Two chemically defended insects were used as models for the development of a new rapid analytical method based on desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry (DAPPI-MS). The distribution of defensive chemicals on the insect body surface was studied. Since these chemicals are predominantly nonpolar, DAPPI was a suitable analytical method. Repeatability of DAPPI-MS signals and effects related to non-planarity and roughness of samples were investigated using acrylic sheets uniformly covered with an analyte. After that, analytical figures of merit of the technique were determined. The spatial distribution of (E)-1-nitropentadec-1-ene, a toxic nitro compound synthesized by soldiers of the termite Prorhinotermes simplex, was investigated. Then, the spatial distribution of the unsaturated aldehydes (E)-hex-2-enal, (E)-4-oxohex-2-enal, (E)-oct-2-enal, (E,E)-deca-2,4-dienal and (E)-dec-2-enal was monitored in the stink bug Graphosoma lineatum. Chemicals present on the body surface were scanned along the median line of the insect from the head to the abdomen and vice versa, employing either the MS or MS² mode. In this fast and simple way, the opening of the frontal gland on the frons of termite soldiers and the position of the frontal gland reservoir, extending deep into the abdominal cavity, were localized. In the stink bug, the opening of the metathoracic scent glands (ostiole) on the ventral side of the thorax as well as the gland reservoir in the median position under the ventral surface of the anterior abdomen were detected and localized. The developed method has future prospects in routine laboratory use in life sciences.     

QuEChERS-高效液相色谱检测土壤中的吡虫啉

建立了测定土壤中吡虫啉的方法。土壤样品以乙酸-乙腈(体积比为0.1∶100)溶液提取,分散固相萃取净化,乙腈-水为流动相(体积比为7∶13),流速0.9 mL/min,270 nm检测,外标法定量。方法的线性范围为0.1~50μg/mL,线性相关系数为0.9994。平均加标回收率为90.1%~94.5%,RSD为0.7%~4.9%(n=6)。方法检测限为0.001 mg/kg(以信噪比为3计),定量限为0.004 mg/kg(以信噪比为10计)。该方法可用于新建房屋白蚁预防土壤化学屏障中吡虫啉的检测。