Studies on the salivary physiology of plant bugs: Detoxification of phytochemicals by the salivary peroxidase of aphids

Abstract

A peroxidase able to oxidize aromatic amines was found in the salivary glands and “sheath material” of Aphis gossypii, Macrosiphum rosae and Myzus periscae. The enzyme was also released into the aqueous phase of aphid diets, irrespective of their composition, and was shown to oxidize the toxic phytochemicals hordenine (a phenyl-ethylamine alkaloid), and gossypol (a terpenoid with o-diphenolic groups). The significance of this finding in relation to the behavioural physiology of feeding of aphids is discussed.