Comparison of the volatile compounds of Dermestes maculatus and Dermestes ater pupae: application of headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS)

Abstract

The headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) method was used for the determination of the volatile compounds of Dermestes maculatus and D. ater pupae. These beetles are of economic importance and they are a common pest of stored products and also serve as an intermediate host of the parasitic tapeworm, therefore an understanding of their biology is very important. Analyses of the volatile compounds of D. maculatus and D. ater pupae revealed differences between the insect species in their chemical composition. Sixteen volatile compounds of D. ater pupae, including 6 hydrocarbons, 5 fatty acids, 3 esters, and 2 aldehydes were identified. The major volatile compound in D. ater pupae was pentacosane. Ten compounds were present in < 10 % concentrations. A further five were present in < 1 % concentrations. A total of 39 compounds were identified in the D. maculatus pupae, including 28 esters of fatty acid, 4 fatty acids, 6 hydrocarbons and 1 aldehyde. Two volatile compounds were detected as major compounds: octadecadienoic acid methyl ester and octadecenoic acid methyl ester. A further eight were identified in smaller quantities (from 1.12 to 8.30 %) and the remaining volatile compounds were present in < 1 % concentrations.