Antimicrobial activities of components of the glandular secretions of leaf cutting ants of the genus Atta.

Full 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, beta-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/microl. 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.

Author information

Author/s: Mendonça, Adriana de Lima (Ade L); da Silva, Carlos Eduardo (CE); de Mesquita, Fernando Lucas Torres (FL); Campos, Rousseau da Silva (Rda S); Do Nascimento, Ruth R (RR); Ximenes, Eulália Camelo Pessoa de Azevedo (EC); Sant'Ana, Antônio Euzébio G (AE);

Affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Química, Instituto de Química e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-May; vol 95 (issue 4) : pp 295-303

Dates: Created 2009/04/01; Completed 2009/06/08;

PMID: 19214771, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 6/8/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Animals
Anti-Infective Agents - isolation & purification; pharmacology
Ants - chemistry
Bodily Secretions - chemistry
Candida albicans - drug effects
Escherichia coli - drug effects
Hexanoic Acids - isolation & purification; pharmacology
Indoleacetic Acids - isolation & purification; pharmacology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Anti-Infective Agents (0) ; Hexanoic Acids (0) ; Indoleacetic Acids (0) ; Ketones (0) ; Monoterpenes (0) ; Octanoic Acids (0) ; Phenylacetates (0) ; Terpenes (0) ; phenylacetic acid (103-82-2) ; 3-octanone (106-68-3) ; 2-heptanone (110-43-0) ; caprylic acid (124-07-2) ; hexanoic acid (142-62-1) ; citral (5392-40-5) ; geraniol (624-15-7) ; indoleacetic acid (87-51-4)

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