Abstract
Investigations on luminal proteinases of grubs of red palm weevil, hynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) infesting coconut revealed presence of two endodpeptidases viz., trypsin (BApNA-ase activity) and elastase-like chymotrypsin (SAAPLpNA-ase activity) in all stages of larval development. Highest activity of these proteinases coincided with the active feeding stage (mid-larval stage) of the insect. Aprotinin 50 ìg, Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor (SBTI) 50 ìg and Phenyl Methyl Sulphonyl Fluoride (PMSF) 1700 ìg inhibited trypsin activity of R. ferrugineus by 77.4%, 63.1% and 55.9%, respectively. Serine proteinase inhibitors viz., aprotinin (50 ìg), SBTI (50 ìg) and PMSF (1700 ìg) had a marginal reduction of elastase - like chymotrypsin activity of R. ferrugineus by 32%, 14% and 11%, respectively suggesting the serine nature of the proteinase. In vivo bioassay of 250 ìM aprotinin on coconut petiole method using early stage grubs of R. ferrugineus indicated a significant weight loss of 18.9% due to incorporation of serine proteinase inhibitor, aprotinin in a period of 120 h. Possibility of using serine proteinase inhibitor, aprotinin in the management of R. ferrugineus was suggested.Â
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