Chemistry of cephalic secretion of fire beeTrigona (Oxytrigona) tataira.

Analysis of the volatile compounds derived from cephalic glands of the fire beeTrigona (Oxytrigona) tataira by GC-MS was undertaken. The following compounds were readily identified: hydrocarbons:n-C11H24,n-C13H28,n-C14H30,n-C15H32,n-C17H36,n-C23H48,n-C15H30,n-C17H34,n-C21 H42, andn-C23H46; carboxylic acids: palmitic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid; carboxylic esters: dodecyl acetate, tetradecyl acetate, hexadecyl acetate, octadecyl acetate, and dodecyl decanoate; monoketones: 5-hepten-2-one, 3-hepten-2-one, 2-heptanone, and 5-nonen-2-one. Two major components of the mixture were identified asE-hepten-2,5-dione andE-3-nonen-2,5-dione. Structures of these novel compounds were suggested by their GC-MS behavior and the GC-MS behavior of their dimethoximes and proved by comparison with authentic synthetic samples. Trace amounts of the corresponding Z isomers and the saturated analogs, heptan-2,5-dione and nonan-2,5-dione, were also found. The possible functions of these glandular constituents are discussed.