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Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry analysis of termite defence secretions in the subfamilyNasutitermitinae

Gaschromatographisch-massenspektrometrische Analyse der Verteidigungs-Sekrete der Termiten-Subfamilie Nasutitermitinae

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Summary

Mono- and diterpenoid components of severalNasutitermitinae soldier secretions have been characterised by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Patterns in monoterpene distribution are useful, but not sufficient for chemotaxonomic purposes without determination of the diterpene distribution. Diterpenoids are structurally complex and can have tetracyclic, tricyclic and bicyclic skeletal structures with various degrees of oxygenation. The relative retention indices for several identified diterpenoid compounds have been determined on OV-1 and OV-17 columns. The amount and distribution of the terpenoid components are useful aids to chemotaxonomy forNasutitermitinae termites.

Zusammenfassung

Mono- und Diterpenderivate in den Sekreten verschiedenerNasutitermitinae-Soldaten wurden mit Hilfe der Gaschromatographie-Massenspektro-metrie charakterisiert. Verteilungsmuster der Monoterpene sind nützlich, aber für chemotaxonomische Zwecke ohne Bestimmung der Diterpen-Verteilung nicht ausreichend. Diterpenabkömmlinge sind in struktureller Hinsicht komplex und haben tetracyklische, tricyklische und bicyklische Strukturen mit wechselndem Sauerstoffgehalt. Die relativen Retentionsindices für einzelne identifizierte Diterpenabkömmlinge wurden auf OV-1- und OV-17-Säulen bestimmt. Menge und Verteilung der Terpenabkömmlinge sind nützliche Hilfsmittel für die Chemotaxonomie der genannten Termiten.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Swee Hock Goh, Soo Loong Tong & Yow Pong Tho

  2. Forest Research Institute, Kepong, Malaysia

    Yow Pong Tho

Authors
  1. Swee Hock Goh
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  2. Soo Loong Tong
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  3. Yow Pong Tho
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Goh, S.H., Tong, S.L. & Tho, Y.P. Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry analysis of termite defence secretions in the subfamilyNasutitermitinae . Mikrochim Acta 77, 219–229 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01237810

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01237810

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