THE DETERMINATION OF BIOGENIC-AMINES IN 4 STRAINS OF THE FRUIT-FLY DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

A range of biogenic amines were measured in the heads from four strain s of Drosophila melanogaster. Quantitation was carried out using gas c hromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-N ICIMS) with stable isotope dilution. The principal amines detected in the heads were dopamine, noradrenaline and 5 HT with small amounts of p- and m-tyramine; p-octopamine could not be detected in samples of 25 heads with a limit of detection of 10 pg per sample. In addition to c onventional neurotransmitters or putative neurotransmitters the amines 5- and 6-hydroxydopamine were detected in the heads in substantial am ounts.