VOLATILE KETONES FROM INTERDIGITAL GLANDS OF BLACK-TAILED DEER, ODOCOILEUS-HEMIONUS-COLUMBIANUS

Three volatile ketones, 2-tridecanone, (E)-3-tridecen-2-one and (E)-4- tridecen-2-one were identified in interdigital gland extracts from bla ck-tailed deer, Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. The major compound, ( E)-3-tridecen-2-one, inhibited the growth of several species of fungi and grampositive bacteria. The bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, and the fungus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes required a minimum concentrat ion (MIC) of 12.5 mu g/ml and 25 mu g/ml, respectively, for inhibition . (E)-3-Tridecen-2-one represents a new class of lipid antibiotics fou nd on animal skin. The second major compound is this secretion, 2-trid ecanone, was not active against any of the organisms tested.