Antimicrobial Activities of Thirteen Insect Species Crude Body Extract Against Some Microbial Pathogens.

Abstract

Infectious diseases are ranked as the second cause of death globally. This is mainly caused by the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens due to the improper use of antibiotics. This problem has influenced the search for antibiotics, particularly in natural sources from flora and fauna. Insects are about 75% of the fauna and have existed in harsh conditions for millions of years. Antimicrobials are thought to have developed in them for protection against pathogens. Kurdistan is rich in insect biodiversity and there is scarce research on using their body extracts as antimicrobial agents. In this study, thirteen insect species collected around Sulaimani governorate and their crude body extracted by acidified methanol method and tested against some microbial pathogens. Five of the extracts inhibit the growth of multidrug-resistance gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, while three of them inhibit the growth of multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, while antifungal activities against yeast, Candida albicans was not observed. Kurdistan insects can be a source for finding new potential antibiotics. Further studies on the crude body extracts of other species and finding the active compounds as well as the mechanism of action of each compound from active crude body extracts against microbial pathogens are recommended.