Speedy milking of fresh venom from aculeate hymenopterans
Abstract
A straightforward method for extracting aculeate arthropod venoms by centrifugation is described, based on adapting a glass insert containing a piece of metal mesh or glass wool into a centrifuge tube. Venom apparatuses are centrifuged for 30 s intervals at ≈2000–6000 g, with samples being dislodged between cycles. Venom from fire ants, honeybees, and a social wasp were extracted within minutes. The method is suited for small-scale bioassays and allows for faithful descriptions of unmodified toxin cocktails.
- Publication:
-
Toxicon
- Pub Date:
- May 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.02.050
- Bibcode:
- 2018Txcn..146..120F
- Keywords:
-
- Medical entomology;
- Myrmecology;
- RIFA;
- Asian hornet;
- Melittin;
- Toxinology;
- Natural products