CONVERSION OF ALPHA-PINENE TO ALPHA-PINENE OXIDE BY RAT-LIVER AND THE BARK BEETLE DENDROCTONUS-TEREBRANS MICROSOMAL FRACTIONS

The metabolism of α-pinene, a major monoterpene in Pinus spp. in the United States, has been examined utilizing microsomal fractions from larval and adult Dendroctonus terebrans and rat liver. Under hydroxylating conditions, both insect and rat liver microsomes convert α-pinene into α-pinene oxide and several other undentified products. α-Pinene oxide was identified by mass spectrometry. α-Pinene is an inducer of cytochrome P-450 in rat liver microsomes and its effect on the pattern of α-pinene metabolism is very similar to β-naphthoflavone. No increase in cytochrome P-450 was observed when insects were treated with α-pinene; however, the quantity of α-pinene metabolic products was increased by α-pinene pretreatment. The role of cytochrome P-450 linked reactions in the production of insect pheromones via the α-pinene epoxide intermediate is discussed. © 1979.