Chemical composition and thermoanalytical analysis of the nest of yellow wasp and mud dauber

Abstract

A wasp is a name given to groups of insects in the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita It is different from a bee as well as an ant. Analysis of nests of yellow colored Wasps and Mud Dauber was carried out with the help of thermogravimetric and spectroscopic techniques. TGA analysis results showed the decomposition profile of the yellow paper wasp nest and mud dauber, indicated the percentage of weight loss with respect to temperature, that is similar to that of cellulose, which further demonstrate that cellulose is the fundamental group in the paper wasp structure which is responsible for adhesive nature and strength of the both type nest sample. Three different stages were observed on the TG curve. First stage starting from 25-250 oC represents the loss of moisture present in the nest which is not chemically bonded. This stage accounts for 15% weight loss which shows there is a significant amount of moisture content in the outer part of the nest. Second stage is between 250-360 oC which shows the decomposition of hemicellulose and formation of volatile products and char. Weight loss is approximately 40% of the total weight. Third stage accounts for 33% weight loss due to the thermal degradation of cellulose. The FT-IR spectral analysis showed the presence of different functional groups. The GC-MS analysis of methanol extracts of paper wasp nest and mud dauber nest showed the presence of different types of bioactive compounds. Elemental analysis of samples showed the most prominent minerals are calcium (31.85ppm) followed by phosphorous (12.8 ppm) and magnesium (9.49 ppm) and different elements. Ash content was low as compared to the mud dauber nest; this indicates that it has higher organic content.