Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Hemolymph of American Cockroaches Against Three Human Invasive Fungal Species: Aspergillus Niger, Candida Albicans and Penicillium Oxalicum Publisher



Zahirnia A¹ ; Seifikar M¹ ; Nasirian H^{2, 3} Show Affiliations
Source: International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Published:2023

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate antifungal activity of hemolymph of American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) against three human invasive fungal species, including Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Penicillium oxalicum. To stimulate the immunity of cockroaches, the strains of fungal species were injected into the coelom of cockroaches. The amphotericin B, non-induced and induced hemolymphs of cockroaches, and phosphate buffer were added to the cultured plates of fungal species strains. Phosphate buffer was used as negative control. Formation of the inhibitory zone represents the antifungal activity of hemolymph of P. americana cockroaches in the cultured plates of fungal species. Diameter of inhibitory zone of the growth of each fungal strain was measured by a calliper. Phosphate buffer does not have to inhibit the ability of growth of fungal species. The non-induced hemolymph of cockroaches exhibits a very low antifungal activity against the growth of fungal species. The induced hemolymph of cockroaches inhibits the growth of fungal species approximately as strong as amphotericin B. The impact of the induced hemolymph of cockroaches as inhibition of the growth of fungal species were: Penicillium oxalicum > Candida albicans > Aspergillus niger. This study indicates that with stimulation of the immunity of P. americana cockroaches using the strains of A. niger, C. albicans, and P. oxalicum, it is possible to acquire the antifungal activity by induced hemolymph of cockroaches approximately as the strong of amphotericin B. © 2023, African Association of Insect Scientists.