Planta Med 2019; 85(18): 1398
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3399657
Pre-Congress Symposia
Young Researchers’ Workshop
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Optimization of growth media for leafcutter ant-associated antimicrobial producing bacteria using cuticular hydrocarbons

J-P Fladerer
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 4, A-8010 Graz, Austria
,
J Fitzek
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 4, A-8010 Graz, Austria
,
F Bucar
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 4, A-8010 Graz, Austria
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 December 2019 (online)

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Abstract see SL YRW-08Planta Med 2019; 85(18): P-041
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400167

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) on the surface of ants have multiple functions as adaption to environmental conditions, interspecific recognition and intraspecific nest mate recognition [1]. Therefore, the CHC profile can be adjusted by the metapleural gland and Dufour’s gland. In leafcutter-ants, which are living in symbiosis with antimicrobial-producing bacteria like Pseudonocardia inhabiting the ants’ surface, the CHC profile may influence the growth of the bacteria. To investigate the impact of CHCs in this symbiosis we analyzed the CHC profiles of three different species of leafcutter ants containing two genera, Atta and Acromyrmex, by GC-EI-MS. These results were compared with CHC profiles of the closely related ant Messor aciculatus and the tropic ant Polyrhachis dives. Our research could show high quantitative and qualitative differences in the CHC profile of the investigated ants. The CHC profiles of all leafcutter ants contained more amides like tetradecanamide, hexadecanamide and hexadecenamide. The similarity between the two different tropic genera of leafcutter ants living in symbiosis with Pseudonocardia and the difference of those ants to the tropic Polyrhachis and the closely related Messor suggests an impact of the identified compounds on the symbiosis. Our findings allowed an optimization of growth media for leafcutter ant associated, antimicrobial producing bacteria by testing different CHC and chitin concentrations, different temperature conditions and pH values. The comparison of 36 growing conditions pointed out that the best growth for Pseudonocardia appeared at pH 7, 28°C with 2 % chitin and addition of tetradecanamide, hexadecanamide, hexadecenamide and their corresponding acids.

 

  • References

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