Abstract
BackgroundIn the last few decades, considerable attention has been paid to entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents, however little is known about their mode of action and safety. This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of Aspergillus flavus in insect Spodoptera litura by analyzing the effect of fungal extract on antioxidant and cellular immune defense. In antioxidant defense, the lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde content) and antioxidant enzymes activities (Catalase, Ascorbate peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase) were examined. In cellular immune defense, effect of A. flavus extract was analyzed on haemocytes using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, mammalian toxicity was analyzed with respect to DNA damage induced in treated rat relative to control by comet assay using different tissues of rat (blood, liver, and kidney).ResultsEthyl acetate extract of A. flavus was administrated to the larvae of S.litura using artificial diet method having concentration 1340.84 μg/ml (LC50 of fungus). The effect was observed using haemolymph of insect larvae for different time intervals (24, 48, 72 and 96). In particular, Malondialdehyde content and antioxidant enzymes activities were found to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased in treated larvae as compared to control. A. flavus ethyl acetate extract also exhibit negative impact on haemocytes having major role in cellular immune defense. Various deformities were observed in different haemocytes like cytoplasmic leakage and surface abnormalities etc. Genotoxicity on rat was assessed using different tissues of rat (blood, liver, and kidney) by comet assay. Non-significant effect of A. flavus extract was found in all the tissues (blood, liver, and kidney).ConclusionsOverall the study provides important information regarding the oxidative stress causing potential and immunosuppressant nature of A. flavus against S. litura and its non toxicity to mammals (rat), mammals (rat), suggesting it an environment friendly pest management agent.
Highlights
In the last few decades, considerable attention has been paid to entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents, little is known about their mode of action and safety
Food security and environment safety are the major concerns in ever expanding human population on the earth planet
Toxicity test of fungus and LC50 value against S.litura The entomopathogenic fungus, A. flavus was tested at different concentrations for toxicity against larvae of S. litura
Summary
In the last few decades, considerable attention has been paid to entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents, little is known about their mode of action and safety. This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of Aspergillus flavus in insect Spodoptera litura by analyzing the effect of fungal extract on antioxidant and cellular immune defense. Effect of A. flavus extract was analyzed on haemocytes using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Food security and environment safety are the major concerns in ever expanding human population on the earth planet. To reduce the crop damage due to insect pests, the reliance on chemical pesticides has increased. Irrespective use of chemical pesticides such as Endosulfan, Benzene hexachloride, Aldicarb, and Fenobucarb in agricultural field raised several types of issues include their non-biodegradable nature, development of insecticide resistance and adverse effects on human health as well as environmental concerns [1]. There is a need to explore alternative ecofriendly strategies for pest’s management which protect and strengthen natural ecosystems rather than contaminate
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