Contribution to integrated studies for the control of leaf-cutting ants: nanoemulsions and nanoencapsulation of natural products and of metal-natural products complexes

• Grant number: 20/00819-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2020
• End date: October 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: João Batista Fernandes
• Grantee: Janaina Brandão Seibert
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/25299-6 - Integrated studies for leaf cutting control, AP.TEM

Abstract

Leaf-cutting ants have been known for centuries to have great predatory power that influences soil transformation. It is well known to farmers to use plants to control ants and this fact can be better explored using the plant's chemosystematic knowledge. Natural products from plants or microorganisms with potential insecticidal or fungicidal action on the nest of leaf-cutting ants, as well as synthetic analogues and modes of application and actions and determinations of these constitute the general objectives of the project. The participation of postdoctoral students in the execution of the project aims to contribute to its development, counting on the contribution of doctors with experiences that will be able to expand the desired results and to complete the training of candidates for the scholarships. The candidate for the scholarship, Dr. Janaina Brandão Seibert, will focus on obtaining natural products involved in the mass of the macrobiotic of nest of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and plants of the order Sapindales for large-scale obtaining of natural products with insecticidal and/or fungicidal activity, and/or enzymes with action on the nest and perform their nanoencapsulation or nanoemulsion. It will also evaluate the toxic activity for "Paulistinha" fish (Brachdanio rerio) and acute with the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri, study the biosynthesis of active compounds, and must obtain new complexes with metals to increase the insecticidal or fungicidal activity of natural-metals products (Metallo- luminescent insecticides), and to know the mechanisms of actions and their active sites. (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)

ARAUJO, SEAN; SEIBERT, JANAINA; RUANI, ANA; DE LA CRUZ, RICARDO; CRUZ, ARTUR; PEREIRA, ALANA; ZANDONAI, DORAI; FORIM, MOACIR; SILVA, MARIA FATIMA; BUENO, ODAIR; et al. The Symbiotic Fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Moller) Singer (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) as a Target Organism to Control Leaf-Cutting Ants. INSECTS, v. 13, n. 4, p. 28-pg., 2022-04-01. (16/12304-2, 18/21936-8, 20/00819-3, 12/25299-6, 20/03032-4)