Determination of venom components from the endoparasitoid wasp Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera : Ichneumonidae)

Abstract

Venom from the endoparasitoid wasp Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae) was isolated in pure form. Total protein determination indicated an average value of 0.04 mug protein per venom sac. The molecular weights of the venom components were estimated with reference to molecular weight markers and reference proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Analysis indicated that venom primarily contains proteins with molecular weights between 20 and 106 kDa. The presence of melittin and apamin in wasp venom was shown by SDS-PAGE and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Infrared spectroscopic data confirmed the acidic nature of the venom and the presence of amines, peptides, proteins, and enzymes in the venom. Venom noradrenaline was separated using thin-layer chromatography and verified by infrared spectroscopy.