Antimicrobial activities of components of the glandular secretions of leaf cutting ants of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atta</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Adriana de Lima Mendonça Carlos Eduardo da Silva Fernando Lucas Torres de Mesquita Rousseau da Silva Campos Ruth R Do Nascimento Eulália Camelo Pessoa de Azevedo Ximenes Antônio Euzébio G Sant’Ana |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratório de Ecologia Química, Instituto de Química e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil;(2) Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Microrganismos, Departamento de Antibióticos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil |
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Abstract: | The secretions of the mandibular and metapleural glands of leaf cutting ants contain antimicrobial substances that protect
the mutualistic fungal colony within the nest from attack by parasitic micro-organisms. The major constituents of these secretions
(citral, 4-methyl-3-heptanol, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, 4-methyl-2-heptanone, β-citronellol, geraniol, phenylacetic, indolacetic,
hexanoic and octanoic acids were tested against resistant strains of the human pathogens, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Assays were carried out using filter paper discs impregnated with either hexane or water solutions of the analytes in the
concentration range 250–6,000 ng/μl. Although most of the tested compounds presented strong antibacterial and antifungal activities,
citral, geraniol, 4-methyl-3-heptanol, hexanoic and octanoic acids were the most effective, particularly against C. albicans. The results suggest that these compounds may be of potential value as antibiotics in the treatment of human candidiasis. |
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Keywords: | Hymenoptera Formicidae Mandibular and metapleural gland secretions Antimicrobial activity |
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