Effect of aqueous macerates of seed powder of Syzigium cumini (l) on the protein contents and mid gut enzyme activities in the fifth instar larvae of silk worm, bombyx mori (l) (race: pm x csr2)

Abstract

Different concentrations (5.0 ppm; 10.0 ppm; 20.0 ppm & 50.0 ppm) of the aqueous solution of seed powder of Syzigium cumini (L) concentrations was used to treat the leaves of mulberry & fed to the fifth instar larvae of polyvoltine, crossbreed silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) (Race : PM x CSR2 ) for first three days; second day & third day; third day (only). The larvae fed with untreated & water treated leaves were also maintained. Bioassays of proteins (S.P. & T.P.) & enzymes (protease & amylase) were carried out on fifth day through the use of mid gut homogenate. Treating the mulberry leaves with herbal preparations ( Syzigium cumini ) & feeding them to fifth instar larvae was found reflected into significant improvement in the levels of proteins (S.P. & T.P.) & velocities of biochemical reactions catalyzed by protease & amylase. The pattern of increase in soluble proteins & total proteins in the mid gut tissue were 32.147 to 90.074 percent & 5.657 to 39.052 percent respectively. The activities of mid gut protease & amylase were increased by 21.444 to 83.706 percent and 14.54 to 52.257 percent respectively. The nutrient contents of seed powder of Syzigium cumini (L) serve to improve the digestibility & exert the influence of efficient metabolism in the fifth instar larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L). The Syzigium seed powder treatment may gear overall biochemical constituency of silkworm larvae, through the significant improvement in the velocity of mid gut enzyme catalyzed biochemical reactions.