Antibacterial Activity of Venom Alkaloids from the Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren ¹

The antibacterial properties of synthetic fire ant venom alkaloids were tested by disc-diffusion procedures against a variety of bacteria and by doubling concentrations in broth cultures of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by lower concentrations of trans -2-methyl-6- n -undecylpiperidine, trans -2-methyl-6- n -tridecylpiperidine, and trans -2-methyl-6- n -pentadecylpiperidine than were...