Antifungal activity of the termite alkaloid norharmane against the mycelial growth of Metarhizium anisopliae and Aspergillus nomius

作者：Chouvenc Thomas^*; Su Nan Yao; Elliott Monica I

来源：Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2008, 99(3): 345-347.

DOI：10.1016/j.jip.2008.07.003

• Termite
• Metarhizium
• Aspergillus
• Norharmane
• Disease resistance
• Antifungal activity

Antifungal activity of norharmane, a beta-carboline alkaloid found in termites (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) was tested against two entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Aspergillus nomius. It was determined that, at physiological concentration (10 mu g ml(-1)), norharmane had no significant effect on A. nomius mycelial growth rate but reduced M. anisopliae growth rate by 11.9%. Contrary to previous findings, we suggest that norharmane has a limited role in disease resistance against fungal pathogens in individual Subterranean termites, and we discuss the potential role of this chemical at a colony level.

• 出版日期2008-11