The Structure of Preen Gland Waxes from Pelecaniform Birds Containing 3,7-Dimethyloctan-1-ol -an Active Ingredient against Dermatophytes

Abstract

Abstract A biologically active principle has been isolated from the uropygial gland secretion of the gannet (Sula bassana) exhibiting growth inhibitory activity for Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts, moulds and, in particular, for dermatophytes.The feather lipids of this species consist of monoester waxes predominantly composed of 3,x-dimethylalkanols esterified with fatty acids belonging to homologous series of 2-and 3-methyl-, 2,x-and 3,x-dimethyl-as well as 2,x,y-and 3,x,y-trimethyl-substituted alkanoic acids. For chemosystematic reasons other pelecani­ form species (Pelecanus crispus, Pelecanus onocrotalus, Phaeton lepturus) and one gaviiform species (Gavia stellata) have also been analysed. The pattern of their preen wax constituents suggest to assume that the Pelecaniformes are polyphyletic with gannets and cormorants being closely related, whereas pelicans and tropic birds are different, both from the former and from each other. Pelicans resemble very much the grebes, while tropic birds seem to be more closely related to the charadriiform, alciform, and possibly to the gaviiform birds.