Chemistry and Immunomodulatory Activity of Frankincense Oil

The yield of steam distillation of frankincense essential oil (3%); and its physicochemical constants were determined. Capillary GC/MS technique was used for the analysis of the oil. Several oil components were identified based upon comparison of their mass spectral data with those of reference compounds published in literature or stored in a computer library. The oil was found to contain monoterpenes (13.1%), sesquiterpenes (1%), and diterpenes (42.5%). The major components of the oil were duva-3,9,13-trien-1,5α-diol-1-acetate (21.4%), octyl acetate (13.4%), o-methyl anisole (7.6%), naphthalene decahydro-1,1,4a-trimethyl- 6-methylene-5-(3-methyl-2-pentenyl) (5.7%), thunbergol (4.1%), phenanthrene-7- ethenyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,10a-dodecahydro-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl (4.1%), α-pinene (3.1%), sclarene (2.9%), 9-cis-retinal (2.8%), octyl formate (1.4%), verticiol (1.2%) decyl acetate (1.2%), n-octanol (1.1%). The chemical profile of the oil is considered as a chemotaxonomical marker that confirmed the botanical and geographical source of the resin. Biologically, the oil exhibited a strong immunostimulant activity (90% lymphocyte transformation) when assessed by a lymphocyte proliferation assay.

UTILIZATION OF WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS ALARM PHEROMONE AS A PREY-FINDING KAIROMONE BY PREDATORS

The alarm pheromone of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is present in the droplet of anal fluid produced by second-instar nymphs when attacked by predators. Because the anal droplet is used in defense against arthropod predators, it was hypothesized that the alarm pheromone (decyl acetate plus dodecyl acetate) acts as a defensive allomone. This hypothesis was refuted by the demonstration that two predators use the pheromone as a prey-finding kairomone. On a leaf arena, Orius tristicolor White (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) increased its rate of turning in response to the pheromone, and spent 25% of its time within 5 mm of a pheromone source. When given a choice between connected leaf discs containing a pheromone- or solvent-treated wick, Amblyseius cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) spent a greater proportion of time on the pheromone-containing disc, suggesting an arrestment effect.

Sex Attractant Blends for Field Trapping of Agrotis segetum Males (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Israel and Germany

Lures for a monitoring system based on sex attractant trapping of Agrotis segetum males were elaborated for Israel and Germany. Various mixtures of (Z)-5-aecenyl acetate, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, decyl acetate and dodecyl acetate were tested in 20 different blends. From comparison of all the trap catches a four-component lure consisting of (Z)-5-decenyl, (Z)-7-dodecenyl, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl and dodecyl acetate is recommended for monitoring of A. segetum in both countries.