Micro-organisms and natural products involved in the protection of Scaptotrigona depilis colony against the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

• Grant number: 13/14905-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Mônica Tallarico Pupo
• Grantee: Taise Tomie Hebihara Fukuda
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Insect-associated microorganisms have been studied as sources of new antimicrobial natural products, and these compounds frequently mediate ecological interactions. In this context, this project aims to study the microbial community associated with the colony of stingless bee species Scaptotrigona depilis involved in the protection of the system against the insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana. To develop this project, the microorganisms already isolated from the stingless bees, larvae, and samples of the colony (PhD project 2012/22487-6), which showed activity in inhibition assay against human pathogens, will be evaluated for their ability to inhibit the insect pathogen B. bassiana. Mixed cultures in a liquid medium with microorganisms selected in the antagonism assays will be carried out to obtain larger amounts of extracts for chemical analysis and isolation of metabolites. Chemical profiles obtained for the extracts of cultures will be compared with those obtained from adult bees, larvae, and colony in an attempt to understand the chemical ecology involved in this system. The major products isolated and identified will be subjected to tests to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration against insect pathogens. (AU)