First In Situ X-ray Scattering Measurements of Insect Body Surface Lipids: American Cockroach

J Phys Chem Lett. 2021 Feb 25;12(7):1969-1972. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c03776. Epub 2021 Feb 16.

Abstract

In situ X-ray scattering measurements of insect body surface lipids were successfully attempted by using a synchrotron X-ray source. The temperature-dependent structural changes of the cuticular hydrocarbons covering the forewing of an American cockroach were able to be followed, which showed that the majority of the hydrocarbons were in a liquid state even far below the critical temperature of water transpiration through the body surface. The results clearly demonstrated that synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering has the potential to obtain the detailed information about the intact lipid structure and physical properties on insect body surfaces.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hydrocarbons / chemistry
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Periplaneta / chemistry*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Water
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Hydrocarbons
  • Lipids
  • Water