Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references
Gyrinal is an organicchemical compound - an unsaturated ketoaldehyde - with the formula C14H18O3, obtained from the whirligig beetle (the water boatman, Gyrinus natator). It is a powerful antiseptic and fish and mammal toxin, and thus used as a defensive compound. Typically the beetles contain approx. 80 microgram of the compound. The LD50 of the compound is approx. 45 mg/kg in mice.
References
Schildknecht, H. (1976). "Chemical Ecology - A Chapter of Modern Natural Products Chemistry". Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English15 (4): 214-222.
Miller, J. R., Hendry, L. B., and Mumma, R. O. (1975). "Norsesquiterpenes as defensive toxins of whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae)". Journal of Chemical Ecology1 (1): 59-82.
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