Both venoms and poisonous secretions are complex mixtures that assist in defense, predation, communication, and competition in the animal world. They consist of variable bioactive molecules, such as proteins, peptides, salts and also metabolites. Metabolomics opens up new perspectives for the study of venoms and poisons as it gives an opportunity to investigate their previously unexplored low molecular-weight components. The aim of this article is to summarize the available literature where metabolomic technologies were used for examining the composition of animal venoms and poisons. The paper discusses only the low molecular-weight components of venoms and poisons collected from snakes, spiders, scorpions, toads, frogs, and ants. An overview is given of the analytical strategies used in the analysis of the metabolic content of the samples. We paid special attention to the classes of compounds identified in various venoms and poisons and potential applications of the small molecules (especially bufadienolides) discovered. The issues that should be more effectively addressed in the studies of animal venoms and poisons include challenges related to sample collection and preparation, species-related chemical diversity of compounds building the metabolome and a need of an online database that would enhance identification of small molecule components of these secretions.
Organic acids are important active small molecules present in venoms and toxins, which have not been fully explored yet. The aim of the study was the determination of organic acids in honeybee venom (HBV) samples by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Two protocols for sample preparation were employed. A solid-phase extraction was used for the determination of malonic acid, fumaric acid, glutaric acid, and kynurenic acid. A dilute-and-shoot method was optimal for: citric acid, malic acid, and succinic acid. Chromatographic separation was performed using a Synergi Hydro-RP column. Detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Among the analytes, glutaric acid and kynurenic acid were present in HBV samples in the lowest concentrations, whereas citric acid was the most abundant acid in each sample, and accounted for an average of 86 mg/g (8.6%) of the venom dry weight. Organic acids were discussed in terms of function. This is the first study in the available literature that provides specific data on the content of organic acids in HBV using a validated quantitative method.Key Contribution: The first study that provided specific and accurate data on the content of a panel of low-molecular-weight organic acids in honeybee venom.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.