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Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

Student Competition Poster

Grad PBT: Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

D3031: The effect of ant-produced compounds on microbes

Monday, November 1, 2021
9:00 AM – 6:30 PM MT
Location:: Exhibit Hall F
Student Competition In-Person Poster

    Presenting Author(s)

  • AM

    Ashley Marin Morris

    University of Florida
    Gainesville, Florida, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Roberto M. Pereira

    Research Scientist
    University of Florida
    Gainesville, Florida, United States

Many ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) have evolved chemical defenses to combat viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Some of these compounds are extremely specialized against certain pathogens, while others are general and serve multiple purposes. Examples the piperidine venom alkaloids and cuticular hydrocarbons produced by the Red Imported Fire Ant – RIFA (Solenopsis invicta Buren).

We isolated RIFA alkaloids and hydrocarbons through a hexane and water extraction. The solution containing alkaloids and hydrocarbons was pipetted at different quantities (1, 3, 10, 33, 100, 200 uL,) onto circular filter paper circles. Five plates were air sprayed with a bacterial solution of either Bacillus thuringiensis or Bradyrhizobium japonicum. One control button and one button of each dose were placed onto all plates. Hexane controls were used to ensure inhibition was not from the extraction agent.


The combined effects of the venom alkaloids and cuticular hydrocarbons inhibited Bt and Br. japonicum growth. Inhibition increased with increasing doses of alkaloid and hydrocarbon solutions. Further experiments are planned with other bacteria.