Entomopathogenous Fungi Degrade Epicuticular Hydrocarbons ofTriatoma infestans

Studies were undertaken to analyze the ability of entomopathogenous fungi to degrade insect hydrocarbons. Strains ofBeauveria bassianaandMetarhizium anisopliaepathogenic to the blood-sucking bugTriatoma infestanswere grown on hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon insect lipid extracts and on synthetic hydrocarbon-enriched media as the sole carbon source. Entomopathogenous fungi were shown to utilize hydrocarbons as the only carbon source for their growth. Insect-derived hydrocarbons served more efficiently as metabolic fuel rather than synthetic compounds of similar structure. [3H]n-Pentacosane, [11,12-3H]3,11-dimethylnonacosane, and [14C]n-hexadecane were catabolized into different amounts of polar lipids, free fatty acids, and acylglycerols. In experiments using the branched alkane, labeled hydrocarbons of different chain length than the precursor were also synthesized. Evidence of complete catabolism was obtained by a significant release of14CO2from [1-14C]n-hexadecane.14CO2production might be used as a simple method to compare hydrocarbon utilization by fungal strains. These data demonstrate that entomopathogenous fungi are able to transform a variety of hydrocarbon structures into different lipid products, part of which may be subsequently utilized for energy production and for the biosynthesis of cellular components. These data are the first evidence of hydrocarbon catabolism and synthesis in entomopathogenous fungi.