Antimicrobial Activities in <i>Pistacia atlantica</i>—Aphids Make a Difference!

Plants<b> </b>have been explored and used as sources for antimicrobial extract and compounds for many years, but galls—specialized structures forms on such by diversity of organisms—have been explored much less. Aphid galls host many insects in closed, humid and sugar rich environments f...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Yoram Gerchman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
Series:Proceedings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/66/1/9
Description
Summary:Plants<b> </b>have been explored and used as sources for antimicrobial extract and compounds for many years, but galls—specialized structures forms on such by diversity of organisms—have been explored much less. Aphid galls host many insects in closed, humid and sugar rich environments for long periods. We have tested the antimicrobial properties of <i>Slavum wertheimae</i> aphid galls on <i>Pistacia</i> <i>atlantica</i>. Secondary metabolites were extracted from leaves and galls with organic solvents, and essential oils with Clevenger, and tested by disk diffusion assay and volatile effect on bacteria and fungi, respectively. The results demonstrated that gall extracts/essential oils had much stronger activity against the diversity of bacteria and fungi. The large diversity of galls suggest they could be explored as source for novel compounds.
ISSN:2504-3900