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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults produce 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), methyl-1,4-benzoquinone
(MBQ), and ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (EBQ). These components are chemical defenses used as repellents
and irritants, and BQ has a negative impact on the growth of some fungal species. In this work, the inhibitory
and/or lethal effects of these benzoquinones on the development of six fungi identified inmaize,
namely Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp., were
evaluated. Ten-day-long disk diffusion trials were performed using benzoquinones. The experiments
simulated the activity of BQ (B1) or “EBQ +MBQ” (B2) released by 40-day-old insect adults (n = 200),
considering a total average release of 45 g per adult. Inhibition halos imposed by benzoquinones
on fungal growth showed a significant effect when compared with the controls (water and solvent).
Mycelial growth was decreased for all fungi, with the level of response depending on the fungal
species. B1 and B2 displayed an inhibitory effect against all fungi, but Trichoderma sp. and A. niger
showed rapid recoveries. B2 showed a lethal effect on Penicillium sp. The inhibitory and lethal
activities of benzoquinones released by T. castaneum adults may contribute to regulate fungal growth,
and understanding their interaction is important to develop innovative control strategies
Description
Keywords
benzoquinones stored maize fungi Tribolium castaneum
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Duarte, S.; Magro, A.; Tomás, J.; Hilário, C.; Ferreira, R.B.; Carvalho, M.O. Antifungal Activity of Benzoquinones Produced by Tribolium castaneum in Maize-Associated Fungi. Insects 2022, 13, 868
Publisher
MDPI