Enzymatic profile of the Atta sexdens fungus garden under the influence of different substrates

• Grant number: 24/03589-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Toshio Fujihara
• Grantee: Kauan Ribeiro Martins
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ants of the species Atta sexdens (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), commonly known as leaf-cutting ants, maintain a mutualistic relationship with the fungus Leucocoprinus gongylophorus in their fungus garden, which harbors a microbial community including bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. The interaction between the ants and their garden is influenced by the type of plant substrate used, generating varied enzymatic profiles. However, this enzymatic potential is little explored. Therefore, the objective of this work is to characterize the enzymatic profile of cellulases, xylanases, and pectinases present in the fungus garden of A. sexdens under the influence of different plant substrates. To this end, four substrates (botanical species) that are being offered to the colonies were selected. The centesimal composition of the apical segments is already being carried out. Subsequently, enzyme extraction will be performed, and the supernatant containing the crude enzyme extract will be used for analyses of cellulases, xylanases, and pectinases. Analyses to obtain the pH, optimal temperature, and thermal stability will be conducted, as these factors significantly impact enzymatic activity. The results may significantly contribute to the understanding of the enzymatic metabolism that occurs in different substrates, offering support for studies aimed at exploring the potential of these enzymes and their application in bioprocesses.