Biochemical and physiological studies of certain ticks (Ixodoidea): isolation and partial identification of a new fatty acid in eggs of Dermacentor andersoni stiles (Ixodidae).

Abstract

AbstractGas liquid chromatographic analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters from eggs ofDermacentor andersoni Stiles (Ixodidae) revealed the presence of significant quantities (15% total fatty acids) of an unidentified component with a retention time between C18∶3−C22∶0 fatty acids. Smaller amounts of the unidentified component (ca. 5% total fatty acid) also were detected in host rabbit serum. Purified, the unidentified component's methyl ester collected from the tick eggs by preparative gas liquid chromatography was partially identified and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic analyses. The evidence suggests that the unidentified component is a methyl branched C15 tricarboxylic acid containing two vicinal carboxylic acid groups. Biosynthesis of the unidentified component by the tick is under investigation.