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Human sweat and 2‐oxopentanoic acid elicit a landing response from Anopheles gambiae
Author(s) -
Healy T. P.,
Copland M. J. W.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2915.2000.00238.x
Subject(s) - bioassay , anopheles gambiae , biology , lactic acid , filter paper , carboxylic acid , anopheles , chromatography , ether , larva , malaria , biochemistry , ecology , bacteria , organic chemistry , chemistry , immunology , genetics
Summary A wind tunnel bioassay and video to observe mosquitoes landing on heated glass cylinders were used to test sweat and some derivatives for responses of Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae), a highly anthropophilic African species of malaria vector. Filter papers impregnated with human sweat and a diethyl ether extract from the filter papers elicited significantly more landings than a water control ( P < 0.001). The concentration of lactic acid in the extract was determined by GLC assay, but bioassays of an equivalent dose of lactic acid (from a commercial supplier) did not elicit landings. Chemical analysis of the extract by combined GLC/mass spectrometry indicated the presence of 73 compounds, of which 40 were tentatively identified. The major components of the extract were aliphatic carboxylic acids. An artificial blend of 22 carboxylic acids did not elicit landings. Bioassays of 2‐oxopentanoic acid elicited significantly more landings ( P < 0.001). The possible importance of oxo‐carboxylic acids for host‐seeking by anthropophilic mosquitoes is discussed and their use for trapping is suggested.