Development of a bioluminescence assay for aldehyde pheromones of insects

Abstract
A rapid, quantitative assay for long-chain aldehydes based on bacterial luminescence was developed. Significant luminescent responses were obtained with both saturated and unsaturated aldehydes of 12–18 carbons. Maximum responses were obtained with the 14- and 16-carbon compounds, including those that are known insect sex pheromones. The bioluminescent response was linearly related to the amount of aldehyde over a 104-105 concentration range with as little as 0.1 pmol (∼20 pg) of aldehyde being detected. The bioluminescent assay represents a new quantitative tool for rapidly measuring aldehyde pheromones of insects.