Identification and determination of (Z)-11-hexadecenal in sex pheromone of Helicoverpa armigera by GC-MS and bacterial bioluminescence methods

Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a widespread kind of pest in Iran and many countries around the world which are economically important. )Z(-11-hexadecenal has been identified as a major component of the female sex pheromone of H. armigra moths. In the present study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the identification and determination of (Z)-11-hexadecenal. (Z)-11-hexadecenal is a long-chain aliphatic aldehyde. It was also measured by bacterial bioluminescence assay based on Luciferase-FMNH2 complex, NADH, aldehyde and O-2 as a sensitive and selective method. The detection limit of )Z(-11-hexadecenal was obtained 0.019 mg/L in the linear range of 0.05-4.5 mg/L by the bioluminescence assay and the GC-MS analysis amount was 1.5 mg/L with the linearity range of 5-50 mg/L. The relative standards deviation for three measurements was 1.92 and 5.7% by bioluminescence assay and GC-MS, respectively. The average amount of (Z)-11-hexadecenal in sex pheromone per moth in 2-3 days old virgin female with the bioluminescence assay and GC-MS were obtained 3.2 and 3.02 ng ml(-1), respectively. Afterward, the amount of (Z(-11-hexadecenal was compared with 8-10 days old adult females by bacterial bioluminescence assay. [GRAPHICS] .