Identification, isolation and characterization of substances with antimicrobial activity in the hemolymph of Lonomia obliqua

• Grant number: 16/24867-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2017
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Zucatelli Mendonca
• Grantee: Ronaldo Zucatelli Mendonca
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo

Abstract

Infections by resistant bacterial strains have become a serious public health problem that leads to the deaths of thousands of people annually. For this reason, the search for new antibiotics has become an urgent necessity. Many studies have been carried out with this attempt. Among the multiple sources of research of new antibiotics, bioprospection from insect exudates. Insects have appeared on the planet for about 350 million years and have been one of the most resistant to infections. Insects have been found in all known ecosystems. Their survival for so long in such distinct environments is a evidence that they have a very effective protection system against environmental infections, even though they do not possess a developed immune system like mammals. This is due to the presence in the hemolymph of molecules that act as antimicrobial agents. Our laboratory has demonstrated the presence of numerous molecules with antiviral and antimicrobial action in hemolymph of insects. This work aims at the identification, isolation and chemical characterization of molecules with antimicrobial action in the hemolymph of caterpillars of the family Saturniidae. Hemolymph samples from these insects will be tested against bacterial strains normally used for this purpose and against resistant hospital bacteria.Keywords: Bioprospecting, antimicrobial, hemolymph, Lonoma obliqua (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BADARI, JULIANA CUOCO; DIAZ-ROA, ANDREA; TEIXEIRA ROCHA, MARISA MARIA; MENDONCA, RONALDO ZUCATELLI; SILVA JUNIOR, PEDRO ISMAEL DA. Patagonin-CRISP: Antimicrobial Activity and Source of Antimicrobial Molecules in Duvernoy's Gland Secretion (Philodryas patagoniensis Snake). FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY, v. 11, FEB 2 2021. (16/24867-1, 13/07467-1)