Identification of sesquisabinene B in carrot (Daucus carota L.) leaves as a compound electrophysiologically active to the carrot psyllid (Trioza apicalis Förster)

The Carrot psyllid, Trioza apicalis Forster (Homoptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae) is one of the major insect pests of carrots (Daucus carota L.) in parts of northern and central Europe. Gas chromatography–single-sensillum recording (GC–SSR) previously confirmed several active compounds in a carrot leaf extract, but the most active compound remained unidentified. Mass fragmentation patterns observed from the unidentified active compound when analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to propose β-sesquiphellandrene and α-cis-bergamotene to be candidates as the unidentified compound. The compounds were synthesized and their mass spectra were nearly identical with the unknown active compound. But, the retention times differed from the compound in the carrot leaf extract. Thus, to obtain the unidentified compound pure enough and in adequate amounts for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, preparative gas chromatography was applied to separate and concentrate this biologically active compound. Analysis by liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF) confirmed the unidentified compound to be a compound with the formula of C15H24 and together with GC–MS, 1H and 13C NMR analysis sesquisabinene B was identified as the unidentified compound in the extract. GC–SSR was then used to finally confirm the biological activity of sesquisabinene B isolated from the carrot leaf extract via preparative GC.