Search for semiochemicals of honeybee (Apis mellifera)

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This study was undertaken to search for semiochemicals, which have various important functions and roles for caste maintenance in honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera). Rather than looking for semiochemicals in the mandibular glands of the queen bee, this study involves the search for precursors of pheromones from large quantities of royal jelly. Seven chiral hydroxy fatty acids were isolated. Interestingly enough, except for 3-hydroxyl fatty acid, all chiral acids are present in royal jelly as optical isomers. Considering the relationship between 9-ODA and 9-HDA, it is expected that these chiral acids are precursors of semiochemicals, and that their corresponding oxo-forms may play physiologically important functions and roles in the hierarchy of honeybee colonies. The biological activities of these compounds will be examined.