Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termites
Abstract Fungus-farming termites (Macrotermitinae), predominantly found in Africa, are eusocial insects with significant ecological roles. Historically, they have been valued in traditional medicine, human diets, and livestock feed. These termites share a long-standing symbiotic relationship with Te...
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SpringerOpen
2025-08-01
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| Series: | AMB Express |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-025-01917-2 |
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| author | Mapenda Gaye Amira Zhor Rim Zinai Nicholas Armstrong Gaetan Herbette Valérie Monnier Hubert Bassene Georges Diatta Masse Sambou Cheikh Sokhna Didier Raoult Florence Fenollar Oleg Mediannikov |
| author_facet | Mapenda Gaye Amira Zhor Rim Zinai Nicholas Armstrong Gaetan Herbette Valérie Monnier Hubert Bassene Georges Diatta Masse Sambou Cheikh Sokhna Didier Raoult Florence Fenollar Oleg Mediannikov |
| author_sort | Mapenda Gaye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Fungus-farming termites (Macrotermitinae), predominantly found in Africa, are eusocial insects with significant ecological roles. Historically, they have been valued in traditional medicine, human diets, and livestock feed. These termites share a long-standing symbiotic relationship with Termitomyces fungi, which has evolved over millions of years and is critical to their survival and ecological impact. This mutualism promotes a unique monoculture of Termitomyces in the fungus comb while suppressing fungal and bacterial antagonists, likely due to the comb’s structural or chemical properties, sparking interest among researchers. In this study, we conducted an extensive examination of 11 fungus combs associated with five termite species collected in Senegal. Our analysis revealed significant antibacterial properties in the crude extracts of the combs, notably against multidrug-resistant strains. Chemical analyses led to the identification of dicrotalic acid (Meglutol) in the active fractions of two combs from agricultural areas. This compound, likely of plant origin, suggests a link between termite feeding habits and the antimicrobial potential of the combs. Although the exact bioactive compounds responsible for the antimicrobial activity have not yet been fully identified, the presence of various metabolites may explain the maintenance of Termitomyces monocultures and the suppression of pathogens. This also illustrates the complex ecological relationship between Termitomyces and termites, which may work together to produce natural bioactive compounds that suppress pathogens. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-613d5deb72b74beab99f2f911e8a4e32 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2191-0855 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
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| series | AMB Express |
| spelling | doaj-art-613d5deb72b74beab99f2f911e8a4e322025-08-20T04:03:07ZengSpringerOpenAMB Express2191-08552025-08-0115111410.1186/s13568-025-01917-2Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termitesMapenda Gaye0Amira Zhor Rim Zinai1Nicholas Armstrong2Gaetan Herbette3Valérie Monnier4Hubert Bassene5Georges Diatta6Masse Sambou7Cheikh Sokhna8Didier Raoult9Florence Fenollar10Oleg Mediannikov11IHU Méditerranée InfectionIHU Méditerranée InfectionIHU Méditerranée InfectionCNRS, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles (ICSN), UPR2301, Université Paris-SaclayAix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Med, FSCMIRD, MINES, Campus International IRD-UCADIRD, MINES, Campus International IRD-UCADIRD, MINES, Campus International IRD-UCADIHU Méditerranée InfectionConsulting Infection MarseilleIHU Méditerranée InfectionIHU Méditerranée InfectionAbstract Fungus-farming termites (Macrotermitinae), predominantly found in Africa, are eusocial insects with significant ecological roles. Historically, they have been valued in traditional medicine, human diets, and livestock feed. These termites share a long-standing symbiotic relationship with Termitomyces fungi, which has evolved over millions of years and is critical to their survival and ecological impact. This mutualism promotes a unique monoculture of Termitomyces in the fungus comb while suppressing fungal and bacterial antagonists, likely due to the comb’s structural or chemical properties, sparking interest among researchers. In this study, we conducted an extensive examination of 11 fungus combs associated with five termite species collected in Senegal. Our analysis revealed significant antibacterial properties in the crude extracts of the combs, notably against multidrug-resistant strains. Chemical analyses led to the identification of dicrotalic acid (Meglutol) in the active fractions of two combs from agricultural areas. This compound, likely of plant origin, suggests a link between termite feeding habits and the antimicrobial potential of the combs. Although the exact bioactive compounds responsible for the antimicrobial activity have not yet been fully identified, the presence of various metabolites may explain the maintenance of Termitomyces monocultures and the suppression of pathogens. This also illustrates the complex ecological relationship between Termitomyces and termites, which may work together to produce natural bioactive compounds that suppress pathogens.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-025-01917-2Fungus combsFungus-farming termitesTermitomycesAntibacterialMeglutolDicrotalic acid |
| spellingShingle | Mapenda Gaye Amira Zhor Rim Zinai Nicholas Armstrong Gaetan Herbette Valérie Monnier Hubert Bassene Georges Diatta Masse Sambou Cheikh Sokhna Didier Raoult Florence Fenollar Oleg Mediannikov Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termites AMB Express Fungus combs Fungus-farming termites Termitomyces Antibacterial Meglutol Dicrotalic acid |
| title | Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termites |
| title_full | Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termites |
| title_fullStr | Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termites |
| title_short | Antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from Senegalese fungus-farming termites |
| title_sort | antibacterial activity of fungus comb extracts from senegalese fungus farming termites |
| topic | Fungus combs Fungus-farming termites Termitomyces Antibacterial Meglutol Dicrotalic acid |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-025-01917-2 |
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