The rising number of multidrug-resistant microorganisms has triggered interest in the prospection of biocompounds with antimicrobial activities. Synoeca-MP consists of an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) classified as a mastoparan, which was isolated from the venom of Synoeca surinama, a social wasp. Synoeca-MP presented a potent antimicrobial activity, with values of MIC 50 and MIC 90 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-MRSA (1.9 and 2.2 μM), Escherichia coli ESBL (2.0 and 2,1 μM), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (8.3 and 17.1 μM), Pseudomonas aeruginosa metallo-ß-lactamase (5.2 and 5.9 μM), and Klebsiella pneumoniae KPC (3.5 and 4.7 μM). Synoeca-MP was also tested against six Candida species, with MICs varying from 10 to 40 μM. Moreover, the structural prediction for Synoeca-MP demonstrated a cationic α-helix capable of interacting with in silico membranes and low hemolytic activity. Due to its antimicrobial activity, synoeca-MP shows potential as an adjuvant to antibiotics and antifungals commonly used in antibiotic therapies. K E Y W O R D S antimicrobial peptides, pathogenic microorganisms, Synoeca surinama

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