Washington D.C., Feb.7-It has come to light that ants produce their own antibiotics to deal with diseases that can be used to treat humans as well.
The North Carolina State University-led study identified that some ant species make use of powerful antimicrobial agents. However, it also found that 40 percent of ant species tested didn't appear to produce antibiotics.
According to a new study, to deal with the bacteria that cause some of these diseases (what disease), some ants produce their own antibiotics.The researchers cautioned that this study is the first step and that it does have limitations. For example, the researchers used only one bacterial agent in their tests, meaning it is not clear how each species would fare against other bacteria.
"Next steps include testing ant species against other bacteria; determining what substances are producing the antibiotic effects - and whether ants produce them or obtain them elsewhere; and exploring what alternative strategies ants use to defend against bacterial pathogens," Smith concluded.