Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please refer to fulltext for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien asb opsomming vir volteks

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The phenolic content of wine is responsible for determining characteristics such as the organoleptic qualities, colour stability, ageing properties and health-beneficial effects associated with wine. The aim ofthis study was to investigate the possibilities offered by capillary electrophoresis (CE) as an alternative separation technique to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the analysis of polyphenols in wine. The complexity of wine samples was the cause that neither technique was capable of a satisfactory singlestep analysis of wine. Suitable sample preparation techniques such as Sephadex- and Sep- Pak fractionation and ether extraction of wine polyphenols were investigated. These techniques did not, however, prove to be universal. A novel form of sample preparation namely a process analogous to lyophylization used to separate wine volatiles from nonvolatiles was introduced. The versatility of CE was further investigated in an attempt to eliminate the need for sample preparation. The use of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) coated capillaries, micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) were investigated in this regard. Although none of these techniques could offer conclusive results, useful applications were forthcoming and routes for further investigation were outlined. Liquid chromatography coupled to electro spray ionisation mass spectroscopy (LC-ESI-MS) and capillary electrophoresis coupled to electro spray ionisation mass spectroscopy (CE-ESI-MS) were compared for the analysis of polyphenols in wine. While the latter technique could not produce sufficient separation compared to the former, future development ofCE-ESI-MS should make it a powerful technique for these analyses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fenoliese komponente in wyn speel 'n bepalende rol by eienskappe soos die organoleptiese karakter, kleur stabiliteit, verouderingspotensiaal en gesondheids-voordele wat met wyn geassosieër word. Die doel van hierdie projek was om ondersoek in te stel na die potensiaal wat kapillêre elektroforese (CE, "capillary electrophoresis") as 'n alternatiewe skeidingstegniek teenoor hoë druk vloeistof chromatografie (HDVC) vir die analise van die polifenole in wyn bied. Die kompleksiteit van wyn monsters is van so 'n aard dat 'n bevredigend enkelstap analise met geeneen van die tegnieke moontlik is nie. Gepaste monster-voorbereidingstappe soos Sephadex- en Sep-Pak fraksionering asook eter ekstraksie van die polifenole in wyn is ondersoek. Geeneen van die tegnieke was egter universeel toepaslik nie. 'n Nuwe metode van monster-voorbereiding, naamlik 'n proses analoog aan liofilisasie wat gebruik word om die wyn te skei in vlugtige en nievlugtige komponente is gedemonstreer. Die veelsydigheid van CE was gevolglik ondersoek in 'n poging om monstervoorbereiding uit te skakel. Die gebruik van polyvinielalkohol-(pVA) bedekte kapillêre, missellêre elektrokinetiese chromatografie (MEKC) en kapillêre gel elektroforese (CGE, "capillary gel electrophoresis) is in hierdie verband ondersoek. Alhoewel geeneen van hierdie tegnieke onweerlegbare resultate gelewer het nie, het bruikbare toepassings hieruit voortgespruit en is die grondslag vir verdere navorsing gelê. Vloeistof chromatografie gekoppel aan eIektrosproei ionisasie massaspektroskopie (LCESI- MS) en kapillêre elektroforese gekoppel aan elektrosproei ionisasie massaspektroskopie (CE-ESI-MS) is vergelyk vir die analise van polifenole in wyn. Alhoewel laasgenoemde tegniek onvoldoende skeiding lewer vergeleke met eersgenoemde, behoort toekomstige ontwikkelinge op die gebied van CE-ESI-MS dit 'n kragtige tegniek vir die analise van hierdie monsters te maak.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please refer to fulltext for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien asb volteks vir opsomming

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please refer to fulltext for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien volteks vir opsomming

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please refer to fulltext for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien asb volteks vir opsomming

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A thorough search through the literature as well as through the Cambridge Crystallographic Structural Database resulted in no examples of a neutral ozone acting as ligand in a complex with any metal. Ionic compounds containing ozonide as anionic species, however, are well known throughout the literature and not surprisingly the only result for 0₃ and a metal in the CCSD was an ionic rubidium ozonide compound. What follows is a systematic study into the result of placing an ozone ligand within complexing distance of a transition metal (the first transition row from titanium to copper). Due to the novelty of the system, as first approximation four different orientations of the ozone ligand relative to the metal (a metal cation in these calculations) were investigated. It was found that coordination through the terminal oxygens resulted in energy minima for all the metal cations, although not necessarily the absolute energy minimum on the potential energy surface for the specific cation. A further structural study was done by adding carbonyl and hydrogen ligands to the system, according to the 18-electron rule. For these calculations coordination through the terminal oxygens was employed. In both series the dissociation energy was also calculated. The dissociation energies for the M(CO)nHm(0₃) complexes were all positive, indicating that they are theoretically stable structures. The resulting wave functions were then analysed with the help of three techniques: Atoms in Molecules (AIM), Charge Decomposition Analysis (CDA) and Natural Bond Orbital Analysis (NBO). AIM showed that bonds were indeed formed between the ozone ligand and the transition metal and hinted that the bonding model can be interpreted with the Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson (DCD) model of σ-donation and л-back donation. CDA confirmed that this was the case. NBO results proved erroneous due to the largely delocalized electronic structure of the complexes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Deeglike soektog deur die literatuur en die Cambridge Crystallographic Structural Database het geen resultate gelewer van komplekse waarin 'n neutrale osoonligand komplekseer met 'n metaal nie. Ioniese verbindings waarin die osonied as anioon optree, is wel bekend deur die literatuur en die enigste resultaat in die CCSD - vir 'n soektog bevattende osoon en 'n metaal - het 'n rubidiumosonied-verbinding opgelewer. Wat volg is 'n stelselmatige studie om die effek te ondersoek indien 'n osoonligand naby genoeg aan 'n oorgangsmetaal geplaas word om kompleksering te bevoordeel (metale wat gebruik is, is die eerste oorgangsreeks vanaf titanium tot koper). As gevolg van die onbekendheid van die sisteem is vier verskillende oriëntasies van die osoonligand relatied tot die metal ('n metal katioon in die geval) as beginpunt ondersoek. Daar is gevind dat koordinasie deur die terminale suurstowwe van die osoonligand vir al die metal katione lei tot energie minima, alhoewel dié minima nie noodwendig die globale minima op die potensiële energie oppervlaktes van die katione is nie. 'n Verdere studie is gedoen deur karboniel- en waterstofligande tot die sisteem te voeg, gelei deur die 18-elektron reel. Vir hierdie berekeninge is koördinasie deur die terminale suurstowwe gebruik. In beide reeks is dissosiasie-energieë bereken. Die dissosiasie energieë van die M(CO)nHm(0₃) komplekse was deurgaan positief wat aandui dat die komplekse teoreties stabiel is. Die verkrygde golffunksies is hierna analiseer deur middel van drie tegnieke: Atoms in Molecules (AIM), Charge Decomposition Analysis (CDA) en Natural Bond Orbital Analysis (NBO). AIM het getoon dat bindings inderdaad gevorm word tussen die osoonligand en die metal en bet die moontlikheid laat ontstaan dat die bindingsmodel volgens die Dewar-Chatt-Duncason (DCD) model van σ-donasie en л-terugdonasie geïnterpreteer kan word. Hierdie waarneming is bevestig deur CDA. NBO resultate kon nie suksesvol gebruik word nie as gevolg van die hoë graad van electron delokalisasie van die komplekse.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the analysis of ammo acids usmg High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with pre-column derivatisation was optimised. The derivatisation reagents include o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA), 9- fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC) and iodoacetic acid (IDA). Detection was performed using UV and fluorescence in series. The developed method was utilised for the analysis and quantitation of amino acids in eighteen wines. The application of chemometric data evaluation was initiated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie ondersoek behels die optimisering van die aminosuuranalise deur gebruik te maak van Hoë Druk Vloeistof Chromatografie (HDVC) in kombinasie met pre-kolom derivatisering. Die derivativatiserings reagense sluit in o-phthaldialdehied (OPA), 9- fluorenielmetielchloroformaat (FMOC) en jodoasynsuur (IDA). Deteksie is gedoen deur gebruik gemaak van 'n ultraviolet (UV) en 'n fluorosensie detektor in serie. Die metode sodoende ontwikkel is gebruik vir die analise en kwantifisering van aminosure in agtien wyne. Die toepassing van chemometriese data evaluasie is ook geïnisieer.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Modification of chitosan with benzoylisothiocyanate was attempted, however due to solvent problem the study was left incomplete till appropriate solvent is designed. N,N-diethyl-N -camphanoylthiourea (HL8), N-piperidyl-N '-camphanoylthiourea (HL9), N-pyrrolidyl-N -camphanoylthiourea (HL10) and N,N-diethyl-N -adamantylcarbonyl thiourea (HL11)have been synthesised and characterised for the first time. Two of these ligands HL8 and HL11, were used to form a number of transition metal complexes, namely H30+{fae-[Co(L8-S,Obn, cis-[Ni(L8-S,0)2], trans-[Cu(L8-S,0)2], translcis-[Zn(L 8_S,0)2], translcis-[Pt(L 8_S,0)2], Ag2[(HL8-S)(L-J.1-S,O)]2, translcis- [Ni(L11-S,O)2]and translcis-[Cu(L11_S,O)2]. The new products are fully characterised by means of MS, IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, elemental (C, H, Nand S) analysis and melting point determinations. The H30+{fae-[Co(L8-S,Obn, cis-[Ni(L8- S,O)2], trans-[Cu(L8-S,O)2] and Ag2[(HL8-S)(L-J.1-S,O)]2 are also characterised by Xray diffraction analysis. The structure of the new chiral N,N-dialkyl-N' -camphanoylthiourea ligand (HL8) has a significant effect on its coordination chemistry with transition metal ions. This ligand forms H30+ {fae-[Co(L8-S,Obn, cis-[Ni(L8-S,0)2], trans-[Cu(L-S,O)2] and Ag2[(HL8- S)(L8-J.1-S,O)]2 complexes with the Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Ag(I) metal ions respectively. The spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction results of these complexes indicate a bidentate mode of coordination of the ligand (with its Sand °donor atoms) to the Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal ions. The reaction of this ligand with silver(I) however affords the formation of a binuclear silver(I) complex exhibiting monodentate and bidentate modes of coordination within the same complex. The exclusive formation of trans-[Cu(L8-S,0)2] is a new phenomenon for the HL type thiourea ligands with Sand °donor atoms. Up to this point a maximum of 15 % trans-isomer has been reported in ltterature." All the transition metal complexes made with HL8and HL11are air stable in both the liquid and solid states except the H30+{fae-[Co(L 8-S,Ob]} Interestingly the deep green fae- H30+{fae-[Co(L8-S,Obn complex is air sensitive and the Co(II) oxidizes to Co(III) in the complex by atmospheric O2. The oxidation of Co(II) to Co(III) in the complex is confirmed by 1Hand 13CNMR spectra as well as by UV-Visible spectra of the complex. The NMR spectra of the complexes indicated the presence of one isomer in each complex except for the NMR spectra of the platinum complex of the HL8 ligand. The presence of the minor trans-[Pt(L8-S,Q)21 isomer in combination with the major cis-[Pt(L8-S,Q)21 isomer in the platinum complex was indicated by the 1H, 13Cand 195ptNMR spectra of the complex. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Pogings om chitosan met benzoylisothiocyanate te modifiseer is onvoltooid gelaat weens die gebrek aan'n geskikte oplosmiddel. N,N-diethyl-N -carnphanoylthiourea (HL8), N-piperidyl-N -camphanoylthiourea (HL9), N-pyrrolidyl-N -camphanoylthlourea (HL10) en N,N-diethyl-N -adamantylcarbonyl thiourea (HL11) is vir die eerste keer gesintetiseer en gekarakteriseer. Twee van die ligande, HL8 en HL11, is gebruik om verskeie oorgangsmetaalkomplekse te berei, nl. H30+{fac-[Co(L8-S,Ohn, cis-[Ni(L8-S,0)2], trans-[Cu(L8-S,0)2], trans/cis-[Zn(L8 - S,0)2], trans/cis-[Pt(L8-S,0)2], Ag2[(HLB-S)(L-jl-S,0)]2, trans/cis-[Ni(L11-S,0)2] en trans/cis-[Cu(L11_S,0)2]. Die nuwe produkte is volledig gekarakteriseer deur middel van MS, IR spektroskopie, KMR spektrometrie, elemente (C, H, N en S) analise en smeltpuntbepaling. Die komplekse H30+{fao-[Co(L8-S,0)3n, cis-[Ni(L8-S,0)2], trans- [Cu(L8-S,0)2] en Ag2[(HLB-S)(L-jl-S,0)]2 is ook deur middel van X-straaldiffraksieanalise gekarakteriseer. Die struktuur van die nuwe chirale N,N-dialkyl-N'-camphanoylthiourea ligand (HL8) het In beduidende invloed op die koordinasie van hierdie ligand met oorgangsmetaalione. Die ligand vorm H30+{fac-[Co(L8-S,Ohn, cis-[Ni(L8-S,0)2], trans-[Cu(L-S,0)2] en Ag2[(HL8-S)(L8-Il-S,0)]2 komplekse met Co(ll)-, Ni(II)-, Cu(II)- en Ag(I)-ione respektiewelik. Spektroskopiese en X-straaldiffraksie-analise van die komplekse toon dat die ligande op 'n bidentate wyse d.m.v. die S- en O-donoratome met Co(II), Ni(lI) en Cu(lI) koordineer. Die reaksie van hierdie ligand met Ag(I)-ione lei egter tot die vorming van 'n dikernige silwer(I)-kompleks waarin die ligande monodentaat (S) en bidentaat (S en 0) aan die metaal gebind is. Die vorming van uitsluitlik die trans-[Cu(L8-S,0)2] in die reaksie van HL8 met Cu(lI) is 'n besondere fenomeen in die chemie van hierdie tipe ligande; in die literatuur word melding gemaak van slegs een ander trans-kompleks met hierdie ligande, en dan wel met 'n maksimum opbrengs van 15%.29 Alle oorgangsmetaalkomplekse met HLB en HL11 is stabiel indien blootgestel aan lug, ongeag of die verbindings opgelos word of in die vastetoestand verkeer, behalwe H30+{fao-[Co(L8-S,Ohn. Die diep-groen gekleurde H30+{fao-[Co(L8-S,Ohn)3]} kompleks is lugsensitief; Co(lI) word deur lugsuurstof na Co(lIl) ge-oksideer. Die oksidasie in die kompleks kan deur middel van 1H en 13CKMR spektrometrie sowel as UV-sigbare spektrofotometrie bevestig word. Die KMR spektra van alle komplekse dui op die teenwoordigheid van slegs een isomeer in oplossing, behalwe in die geval van die platinum(lI) kompleks met HL8. Die teenwoordigheid van lae konsentrasies trans-[Pt(L8-S,0)2] isomeer tesame met veel hoër konsentrasies van die cis-[Pt(L8 -S,O)2] isomeer word deur 1H, 13Cen 195ptKMR spektroskopie aangedui.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The uropygial gland of most birds produces a variety of hydrocarbons, lipids, waxes, fatty acids, alcohols and other organic compounds. These compounds have two widely recognized functions, viz. they are considered essential for the maintenance of a good plumage condition, and may be used for fungicidal, bactericidal or other hygienic purposes. Scimitar-billed woodhoopoes, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas, are groupterritorial birds that live in groups comprising between two and twelve individuals. Individuals enter the roost cavities shortly after sunset and exit the following morning soon after sunrise. During the period that the birds are inside the roost, they are vulnerable to a range of vertebrate predators, including snakes, genets and rats. When disturbed while roosting, woodhoopoes immediately face away from the threat hence presenting their uropygial glands in the direction of the threat. Typically, a drop of brown, highly pungent secretion is then formed at the tip of the papilla to the uropygial gland, and kept in place by a few tuft-like feathers. This response pattern has led some observers to believe that the secretion serves an anti-predatory role. It has been found that the synthetic volatile constituents of the uropygial secretion of the green woodhoopoe, P. purpureus, individually or as a mixture, have potent defensive properties against feline and reptilian predators. In addition, the compounds also showed activity against a range of bacteria. The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition of the uropygial secretion of the scimitar-billed woodhoopoe, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas, as a first step towards the evaluation of, inter alia, the semiochemical function of the secretion. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, 179 constituents of the uropygial secretion of the scimitar-billed woodhoopoe have been identified. The majority of the constituents of the secretion are branched and unbranched aldehydes (aliphatic and aromatic), acids (aliphatic and aromatic), sulfides and ketones. This group of volatile compounds is responsible for the obnoxious odour of the secretion and possibly also for its defensive action against predators. The secretion also contains a large number of branched and unbranched alkanes and wax esters. The chemical composition of the secretion was compared with the secretion of P. purpureus as well as with that of the hoopoe, Upupa africana. The uropygial gland secretion of the scimitar-billed woodhoopoe is quite similar to that of the green woodhoopoe, although it is much more complex than that of the green woodhoopoe. In contrast to the uropygial secretions of the green and the scimitar-billed woodhoopoes, the secretion of Upupa africana does not have a strongly obnoxious odour and it also does not contain large quantities of alkanes and wax esters. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uropigiale klier van die meeste voëls produseer 'n verskeidenheid van koolwaterstowwe, lipiede, was-esters, vetsure, alkohole en ander organiese verbindings. Hierdie verbindings het twee algemeen erkende funksies, naamlik die instandhouding van die goeie kondisie van die vere, en 'n swam- en kiemdodende werking. Swartbekkakelaars (Engels: scimitar-billed woodhoopoes ), Rhinopomastus cyanomelas, is groep-territoriale voëls wat in groepe van tussen twee en twaalf saam woon. Individue gaan hul neste net na sononder binne en verlaat dit weer die volgende oggend net na sonsopkoms. Terwyl die voëls binne die neste is, is hulle kwesbaar ten opsigte van aanval deur verskeie gewerwelde roofdiere, insluitende slange, muskeljaatkatte en rotte. Wanneer hulle in hul neste gesteur word, sal kakelaars onmiddellik wegdraai van die bedreiging sodat die uropigiale klier in die rigting van die bedreiging gekeer is. 'n Druppel bruin, uiters onwelriekende afskeiding vorm dan by die punt van die papil na die uropigiale klier, en word in posisie gehou deur 'n verekwassie. Hierdie gedragspatroon het aanleiding gegee tot die gedagte by sommige waarnemers dat die afskeiding as afweerstof teen roofdiere dien. Daar is gevind dat die sintetiese vlugtige komponente van die uropigiale afskeiding van die groenkakelaar, P. purpureus, individueel of as 'n mengsel, sterk afweer-eienskappe teen katte en reptiele toon. Daarbenewens het die verbindings ook aktiwiteit getoon teen 'n reeks van bakterieë. Die doel van die huidige studie was om die chemiese samestelling van die uropigiale afskeiding van die swartbekkakelaar, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas, te bepaal as 'n eerste stap met die oog op die evaluering van, onder andere, die semiochemiese funksie van die afskeiding. Deur van gaschromatografie-massaspektrometrie gebruik te maak, is 179 komponente van die uropigiale afskeiding van die swartbekkakelaar geïdentifiseer. Die meeste van die komponente is vertakte en onvertakte aldehiede (alifaties en aromaties), sure (alifaties en aromaties), sulfiede en ketone. Hierdie groep vlugtige verbindings is verantwoordelik vir die afstootlike reuk van die afskeiding en waarskynlik ook vir sy afweer-aksie teen roofdiere. Die afskeiding bevat ook 'n groot aantal vertakte en onvertakte alkane en wasesters. Die chemiese samestelling van die afskeiding is vergelyk met die van P. purpureus sowel as dié van die hoepoe, Upupa africana. Die uropigiale klierafskeiding van die swartbekkakelaar stem tot 'n groot mate ooreen met dié van die groenkakelaar, alhoewel dit veel meer kompleks is as dié van die groenkakelaar. In teenstelling met die uropigiale afskeidings van die groen- en die swartbekkakelaars, het die afskeiding van Upupa africana nie 'n afstootlike reuk nie en bevat dit ook nie groot hoeveelhede alkane en was-esters nie.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Bontebok, Damaliscus pygargus pygargus, formerly classified as D. dorcas dorcas, are territorial animals with interdigital glands between the toes of the forelegs. Males regularly defecate on dung heaps, on which they often lie, to communicate with other members of their species. They also communicate by means of visual displays, scent marking and occasionally with scraping or pawing of dung heaps. It is assumed that scent marking with the interdigital secretion serves to define territories frequented by these antelope. These glands secrete a complex mixture of volatile and non-volatile compounds and the volatile compounds in the secretion serve as a chemical signal for other bontebok. It has been suggested that the interdigital secretion is not produced in its final composition by the interdigital gland alone, but that microbial activity is responsible for many of the compounds present in the secretion. In general, many compounds can be attributed to the by-products of microbial hydrolysis of triglycerides, a common characteristic of sebum. It is well documented that micro-organisms inhabit the deep recesses of sebaceous glands and the presence of micro-organisms has been found to be consistent in all antelope exocrine glandular areas. This study involved the chemical characterisation of the volatile metabolites produced in vitro by micro-organisms from the interdigital cavity of the bontebok. Various comparative studies were made, one of which was comparison of the metabolites produced by the individual microbial species as well as the total community of bacteria incubated in different media. A comparison of the compounds identified in the interdigital secretion and the metabolites produced by the micro-organisms in the different media was also made. The volatile metabolite extracts of the individual bacterial species and of the total community were chemically characterised by low-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Classes of compounds identified from the volatile metabolite extracts include: • Acids - Aliphatic (saturated and unsaturated) • Alcohols - Aliphatic (saturated and unsaturated) • Aldehydes - Aliphatic (saturated and unsaturated) • Aromatic compounds • Ketones - Aliphatic (saturated and unsaturated) • Pyrazines • Dimethyldisulphide • Squalene and cholesterol Several qualitative differences were found between the compounds identified in the volatile metabolite extracts of the micro-organisms when incubated in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and minimal salt medium (MSM). In particular, when the microbes were incubated in TSB medium a number of pyrazines were found that were not present when utilising MSM as a medium. Additional qualitative differences were found between the compounds identified in the metabolite extracts of the individual bacterial species and the total community of bacteria, when incubated in both TSB and MSM media. A comparison of the interdigital secretion and the metabolite extracts of the microbial communities incubated in TSB and MSM revealed that many compounds produced in MSM corresponded to the compounds identified in the interdigital secretion. These corresponding compounds were found to be saturated and unsaturated acids, aldehydes and squalene. Furthermore, there was only one corresponding compound in the case of TSB as medium. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bontebok, Damaliscus pygargus pygargus, voorheen geklassifiseer as D. dorcas dorcas, is 'n territoriale dier met interdigitale kliere tussen die kloutjies van die voorpote. Ramme ontlas gereeld op mishope, waarop hulle dikwels lê, om met ander lede van die spesie te kommunikeer. Hulle kommunikeer ook deur middel van visuele seine, reukmerking en soms deur mishope met die voorpote te kap of te skraap. Reukmerking met die interdigitale afskeiding dien klaarblyklik om gebiede wat deur hierdie diere bewoon word, af te baken. Die interdigitale kliere skei 'n komplekse mengsel van vlugtige en nie-vlugtige verbindings af en die vlugtige verbindings dien as chemiese sein vir ander bontebokke. Die vermoede bestaan dat die interdigitale klier nie alleen verantwoordelik is vir die finale samestelling van die interdigitale afskeiding nie, maar dat mikrobiese aktiwiteit bydra tot die produksie van baie van die verbindings wat in die afskeiding aanwesig is. Sekere verbindings kan in die algemeen toegeskryf word aan die vorming van die neweprodukte van mikrobiese hidrolise van trigliseriede, 'n algemene eienskap van sebum. Dit is bekend dat die diep holtes van vetkliere 'n goeie teelaarde is vir mikroorganismes en daar is gevind dat mikroorganismes feitlik deurgaans voorkom in alle anteloop eksokriene klierareas. Hierdie studie behels die chemiese karakterisering van die vlugtige metaboliete wat in vitro deur mikroorganismes van die interdigitale klierholte van die bontebok geproduseer word. Verskeie vergelykende studies is uitgevoer waarvan een die vergelyking was van die metaboliete wat deur die individuele mikrobiese spesies sowel as die totale gemeenskap van bakterieë geproduseer word tydens inkubasie in verskillende media. Vergelyking van die verbindings wat in die interdigitale afskeiding geïdentifiseer is met die metaboliete wat in verskillende media geproduseer is, het ook deel van die studie uitgemaak. Die vlugtige metaboliet ekstrakte van die individuele bakteriese spesies en van die totale gemeenskap is chemies gekarakteriseer deur middel van laeresolusie gaschromatografie-massaspektrometrie. Die volgende groepe verbindings is onder andere in die vlugtige metaboliet ekstrakte geïdentifiseer: • Sure - Alifaties (versadig en onversadig) • Alkohole - Alifaties (versadig en onversadig) • Aldehiede - Alifaties (versadig en onversadig) • Aromatiese verbindings • Ketone - Alifaties (versadig en onversadig) • Pirasiene • Dimetieldisulfied • Skwaleen en cholesterol Verskeie kwalitatiewe verskille is gevind tussen die verbindings wat geïdentifiseer is in die vlugtige metaboliet ekstrakte van die mikroorganismes onderskeidelik in TSB medium en MSM geïnkubeer. Opvallend was byvoorbeeld die voorkoms van pirasiene in gevalle waar mikroorganismes in TSB medium geïnkubeer is, terwyl hierdie groep verbindings afwesig was wanneer MSM gebruik is. Onderlinge kwalitatiewe verskille is ook gevind tussen die verbindings wat geïdentifiseer is in die metaboliet ekstrakte van die individuele bakteriese spesies en die totale gemeenskap van bakterieë, wanneer in TSB medium sowel as in MSM geïnkubeer is. Vergelyking van die verbindings in die interdigitale afskeiding en in die metaboliet ekstrakte van die mikrobiese gemeenskappe, het getoon dat 'n aantal verbindings wat in MSM geproduseer is, ooreenstem met verbindings wat in die interdigitale afskeiding geïdentifiseer is. Daar is gevind dat hierdie verbindings versadigde en onversadigde sure en aldehiede en skwaleen is. Met TSB as medium was daar slegs een ooreenstemmende verbinding.