title: Antimicrobial activity of the pygidial gland secretion of three ground beetle species (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae).
abstract: The antimicrobial properties of the pygidial gland secretions released by the adults of the three ground beetle species, Carabus ullrichii, C. coriaceus, and Abax parallelepipedus, have been tested. Microdilution method was applied for detection of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), and minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs). Additionally, morpho-histology of the pygidial glands is investigated. We have tested 16 laboratory and clinical strains of human pathogens--eight bacterial both gram-positive and gram-negative species and eight fungal species. The pygidial secretion samples of C. ullrichii have showed the strongest antimicrobial effect against all strains of treated bacteria and fungi. Staphylococcus aureus, Lysteria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium proved to be the most sensitive bacterial strains. Penicillium funiculosum proved to be the most sensitive micromycete, while P. ochrochloron and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium the most resistant micromycetes. The pygidial secretion of C. coriaceus has showed antibacterial potential solely against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, and P. ochrochloron. Antibacterial properties of pygidial gland secretion of A. parallelepipedus were achieved against P. aeruginosa, while antifungal activity was detected against five of the eight tested micromycetes (A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, Trichoderma viride, and P. verrucosum var. cyclopium). Commercial antibiotics Streptomycin and Ampicillin and mycotics Ketoconazole and Bifonazole, applied as the positive controls, showed higher antibacterial/antifungal properties for all bacterial and fungal strains. The results of this observation might have a significant impact on the environmental aspects and possible medical purpose in the future.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nenadić
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soković
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Jasmina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glamočlija
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ćirić
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perić-Mataruga
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Larisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ilijin
authors.affiliation: University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski Trg 12-16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vele
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tešević
authors.affiliation: University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski Trg 12-16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ljubodrag
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vujisić
authors.affiliation: University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski Trg 12-16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Todosijević
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vesović
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. srecko@bio.bg.ac.rs.
authors.forename: Srećko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ćurčić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Antibacterial and antifungal activity; Ground beetles; Human pathogens; Microdilution; Morpho-histology; Pygidial gland secretion