title: Development of a bioluminescence assay for aldehyde pheromones of insects : I. Sensitivity and specificity.
abstract: A rapid, quantitative assay for long-chain aldehydes based on bacterial luminescence was developed. Significant luminescent responses were obtained with both saturated and unsaturated aldehydes of 12-18 carbons. Maximum responses were obtained with the 14- and 16-carbon compounds, including those that are known insect sex pheromones. The bioluminescent response was linearly related to the amount of aldehyde over a 10(4)-10(5) concentration range with as little as 0.1 pmol (∼20 pg) of aldehyde being detected. The bioluminescent assay represents a new quantitative tool for rapidly measuring aldehyde pheromones of insects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 3655 Drummond Street, H3G 1Y6, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Meighen
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Slessor
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Grant