Biomonitored phytochemical study of Picramnia bahiensis and Thyrsodium schomburgkianum: obtaining insecticide, fungicide against leaf-cutting ants and their symbiotic fungi and micro-encapsulation of active compounds

• Grant number: 07/07196-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2008
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal researcher: João Batista Fernandes
• Grantee: Rodrigo Ossamu Saga Kitamura
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 06/58043-3 - Leaf cutting ants control, integrated studies, AP.TEM

Abstract

The leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex are considered between the most important plagues in Agriculture, grassland and reforestation programs, due the great amount of leaves cut which the plants are submitted. The factors such as natural resources abundance as food source, scantiness of natural enemies and competitions among others species, promote the attack and, consequently, damages to the plantation, generating serious economic damages, since the density of the nests of leaf-cutting ants can increase 5 to 10 times in relation to a nest in natural environment. The Sapindales order is composed by the families Staphyceaceae, Melianthaceae, Bretschneideraceae, Akaniceae, Sapindaceae, Hippocastanaceae, Aceraceae, Burseraceae, Anacardiaceae, Julianiceae, e Zygophyllaceae. Several compounds with insecticide, antifungal and enzymes inhibiting activities have been gotten from these families. The present project has as main objective to obtain: natural insecticide and/or antifungal compounds and methodologies to application these compounds to Atta sexdens rubropilosa control. Specifically is intended: a) to realize biomonitored phytochemical study of the plants Picramnia bahiensis and Thyrsodium schomburgkianum, being aimed the isolation of the new compounds with insecticide and/or antifungal and/or inhibiting of enzimes activities; b) to isolate and characterize all compounds from the plants contributing to the chemossystematic of the studied genera, since they are little known on the chemical point of view; and c) from active(s) compound(s), to formulate insecticide through the micro-encapsulation technique and comparing with existing traditional standards of baits in the market. (AU)