ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF GLANDULAR SUBSTANCES FROM Atta sexdens (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

As a defense strategy, Atta ants evolved with the production of glandular secretions that act as antibiotics. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of glandular secretions from Atta sexdens specie. The glandular secretions were extracted from the mandibular and metapleural glands, tested for antimicrobial activity by the diffusion method. Inhibition tests were performed against two pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The mandibular gland secretion showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (with inhibition halos of 11.1 and 18.8 mm, respectively). The secretion metapleural gland secretions showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition halos of 11.1 mm. Atta sexdens ants represent an alternative source for the prospection of compounds with antibacterial potential. The substances identified in the metapleural and mandibular glands secretions are predominantly acidic and expressed in the form of sterile fatty acids (carboxylic and phenolic). The tested glandular secretions showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. It is noteworthy that this research is a pioneer in addressing the antibiotics potential bioprospection for an ant specie that occurs in southern Brazil.