Abstract
A procedure for headspace sampling and long-term storage of organic volatiles coupled with gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis was used to study the volatile chemosignals in a biological secretion prior to bioassay. The approach involved collecting the volatiles in evacuated canisters from an apparatus in which 1 ml of secretion was dispersed for headspace sampling. These canisters, stainless steel, 850 ml, and 100% internally electropolished, have been demonstrated to store volatile compounds, in chemically stable form, for several weeks. The GC-MS analyses provided the quantitation and identification of compounds from C3 through C14 at concentrations as low as 0.10 parts per billion volume. The approach was used to study chemosignals of musth temporal gland secretions (TGS) from a male Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Fresh TGS material loses its biological activity within 1 hr. TGS material stored at −20°C usually looses its activity within 30 days. The usefulness of this method for long-term storage of the volatile chemosignals was demonstrated by the retention of biologically active TGS headspace compounds, as determined through bioassays, stored in these canisters for one year.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Eisenberg, J.F., McKay, G.M., andJainudeen, M.R. 1971. Reproductive behavior of the Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus).Behaviour 38:193–225.
Jainudeen, M.R., McKay, G.M., andEisenberg, J.F. 1972. Observations on musth in the domesticated Asiatic elephant.Elephas maximus. Mammalia 36:247–261.
Kinzer, G.W., Fentiman, A.F., Page, T.F., Foltz, R.L., Vité, J.P., andPitman, G.B. 1969. Bark beetle attractants: identification, synthesis and field bioassay of a new compound isolated fromDendroctonus.Nature 221:477–478.
Lindgren, B.S. 1992. Attraction of Douglas-fir beetle, spruce beetle, and a bark beetle predator,Coleoptera scolytidae andcleridae, to enantiomers of frontalin.J. Entomol. Soc. B.C. 89:13–17.
Molamure, H.E. 1969. Elephants-marginal notes on musth and mating.Loris 11:345–346.
Perrin, T.E. (1995).Elephas maximus. MS thesis. Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology, Portland, Oregon.
Perrin, T.E., andRasmussen, L.E.L. 1994. Chemosensory responses of female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to cyclohexanone.J. Chem. Ecol. 20:2857–2866.
Rasmussen, L.E., Buss, I.O., Hess, D.L., andSchmidt, M.J. 1984. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in elephant serum and temporal gland secretions.Biol. Reprod. 30:352–362.
Rasmussen, L.E.L., Hess, D.L., andHaight, J.D. 1990. Chemical analysis of temporal gland secretions collected from an Asian bull elephant during a four-month musth episode.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2167–2181.
Winberry, W. T., Jr., Murphy, N.T., andRiggan, R.M. 1990a. Method TO14: Determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air using SUMMA® passivated canister sampling and gas chromatographic analysis, pp. 467–560.in Methods for Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Air. Noyes Data Corporation, Park Ridge, New Jersey.
Winberry, W.T., Jr., Murphy, N.T., andRiggan, R.M. 1990b. Method TO12: Determination of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) in ambient air using cryogenic preconcentration and direct flame ionization detection (PDFID), pp. 332–368,in Methods for Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Air. Noyes Data Corporation, Park Ridge, New Jersey.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Perrin, T.E., Rasmussen, L.E.L., Gunawardena, R. et al. A method for collection, long-term storage, and bioassay of labile volatile chemosignals. J Chem Ecol 22, 207–221 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055093
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055093