title: The use of chromatographic techniques for the separation and the identification of insect lipids.
abstract: The paper presents the state of knowledge on the chromatographic techniques used in the analysis of insect lipids. Lipids are one of the forms of protection against entomopathogenic fungi. Their composition may include a number of different compounds, such as long chain hydrocarbons, waxes, alcohols, aldehydes and free fatty acids. These compounds may be presented in different amounts depending on the species of insects, living environment, lifestyle, seasons, etc. The most commonly used techniques in the analysis of lipids of insects are: gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, and combined techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Compounds present in the cuticular lipids of insects may serve diverse functions such as minimizing transpiration. It was also found that extracts of insects possess antifungal effects. Determination of lipid profiles and biological activity of the identified compounds can effectively contribute to the knowledge of the defense mechanisms of insects, and thus, impact the development of new methods of combating harmful insects.
authors.affiliation: University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute for Environmental and Human Health Protection, Department of Environmental Analysis, Sobieskiego 18/19, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerkowniak
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puckowski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stepnowski
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gołębiowski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007313:Insecta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids
keywords: Chromatography; Combined analytical techniques; Entomopathogenic fungi; Extraction; Insects; Lipids