Abstract
Some properties of the gut amylase of Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust have been studied. The enzyme has maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 45°C. It is activated by Cl, Ca2+ and Cd2+ ions and inhibited by Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions. Low Michaelis constants of 0.26 mg/ml and 032 mg/ml were obtained for the larva and adult gut amylases. Enzymatic activity was found to be consistently higher in the larva than in adult stage, probably suggesting the larval stage as the most destructive stage. Extracts of Cola nitida (Vent) Schott and Endlicher and C. acuminata (Pal de Beauv) Schott and Endlicher, inhibited amylase activity in vitro at varying magnitudes. The higher level of inhibitors in C. acuminata is an index of its low susceptibility to weevil attack both on the field and at storage.
Résumé
Quelques propriétes d’amylase de l’intestin du Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust ont été étudiées. L’activité optimum de l’enzyme se présente au pH 5.0 et à la temperature de 45°C. Il a été active par ces ions: Cl-, Ca2+ et Cd2+ et, on l’a fait empêcher par ces ions: Cu2+ et Hg2+. Les petites constantes de Michaelis, obtenues pour la larve et le grand intestin amylacé étaient respectivement 0.26 mg/ml et 032 mg/ml. On a constaté que le régime d’activité de l’enzyme était beaucoup plus prononcé pour la larve qu’à l’était plus âgé. Cet éffet nous à faire déduire que l’état de la larve est l’état le plus destructif. Les extraits de Cola nitida (Vent) Schott et Endlicher, et C. acuminata (Pal de Beauv) Schott et Endlicher empêchaient l’activité in vitro aux dégrés divers. L’effet des empecheurs était prononcé en C. acuminata et ceci signifie qu’il est peu susceptible de l’effet du charançon au chantier et à l’emmagasinage.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adedire C. O. and Balogun R. A. (1990) Qualitative survey of digestive enzymes in gut and salivary glands of the kola weevil, Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Ife J. Sci. (In Press).
Alibert H. et Mallamaire A. (1955) Les charaçons de la noix de cola en Afrique; Moyens de le combattre. Bull. Prof. Veg. Gouv. Gen. Occ. Franc. Dir. Gen. Serv. Econ. Insp. Gen. Agrie. 29, 69–88.
Applebaum S. W., Jankovic M. and Birk Y. (1961) Studies on the midgut amylase activities of Tenebrio molitor L. larvae. J. Insect Physiol. 7, 100–108.
Applebaum S. W. and Konijn (1965) The utilization of starch by larvae of the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. J. Nutr. 85, 275–282.
Applebaum S. W. (1985) Biochemistry of digestion. In Comprehensive Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. (Edited by Kerkut G. A. and Gilbert L. I.), pp. 279–311. Pergamon Press.
Baker J. E. (1983) Properties of amylases from midguts of larvae of Sitophilus zeamais and Sitophilus granarius. Insect Biochem. 13940, 421–428.
Baker J. E., Woo S. M. and Byrd R. V. (1984) Ultrastructural features of the gut of Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) with notes on distribution of proteinases and amylases in crop and midgut. Can. J. Zool. 62, 1251–1259.
Balogun R. A. (1972) Digestive carbohydrases and the nature of amylase in the gut of Zonocerus variegatus L. Bull. Entomol. Soc. Niger. 3, 91–94.
Beattie G. B. (1970) Soft Drink Flavours: Their History and Characteristics—J. Cola or “Kola” Flavours. The Flavours Industry, pp. 390–394.
Buonocore V., Poerio E., Silano V. and Tomasi M. (1976) Physical and catalytic properties of α-amylase from Tenebrio molitor L. larvae. Biochem. J. 153, 621–625.
Daramola A. M. (1973) The bionomics of the kola weevils, Sophrorhinus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Day M. F. and Powning B. F. (1949) A study of the process of digestion in certain insects. Aust. J. Sci. Res. (B)2, 175–215.
Gerard B. M. (1967) The control of Balanogastris kolae (Debsr.) and Sophrorhinus insperatus (Fst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in small samples of stored kola nuts using phosphine. Bull. Entomol. Soc. Niger. 1, 43–48.
Gilmour D. (1961) The Biochemistry of Insects. Academic Press, New York and London.
Hoorn A. J. W. and Scharloo W. (1978) The functional significance of amylase polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster I. Properties of two amylase variants. Genetics 49, 173–180.
Hori K. ( 1972) Comparative study of a property of salivary amylase among various heteropterous insects. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 42B, 501–508.
House H. L. (1974) Digestion. In The Physiology of Insecta (Edited by Rockstein M.), 2nd Edition, Vol. V, pp. 63–117. Academic Press, New York.
Ishaaya I., Holmstead R. L. and Casida J. E. (1977) Triphenyl derivatives of group IV elements as inhibitors of growth and digestive enzymes of Tribolium castaneum larvae. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 7, 573–577.
Ishaaya I., Moore I. and Joseph D. (1971) Protease and amylase activity in larvae of the Egyptian cotton worm, Spodoptera littoralis. J. Insect Physiol. 17, 945–953.
Ishaaya I. and Swirski E. (1970) Invertase and amylase activity in the armoured scales Chrysomphalus aonidum and Aonidiella auranti. J. Insect Physiol. 16, 1599–1606.
Ito T., Mukaiyama F. and Tanaka M. (1962) Some properties of digestive juice and blood of larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. J. Sericult. Sci. Japan 32, 228–234.
Lamborn W. A. (1914) The agricultural pests of the southern provinces, Nigeria. Bull. Entomol. Res. 5, 197–214.
Noelting G. and Bernfeld P. (1948) Sur les enzymes amylolytiques II. La B-amylase: Dosage d’activité et control de l’absence d’-α-amylase. Helv. Chim. Acta. 31, 286–290.
Patterson W. H. (1912) Report of the Entomologist. Rep. Agrie. Dept., Accra, Gold Coast 1912, 22–25.
Podoler H. and Applebaum S. W. (1971) The a-amylase of the beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis: properties. Biochem. J. 121, 321–325.
Robyt J. F. and Whelan W. J. (1968) The a-amylases. In Starch and its Derivatives (Edited by Radsley J. A.), pp. 430–470. Chapman and Hall, London.
Terra W. R., Ferreira C. and De Bianchi A. G. (1977) Action pattern, kinetical properties and electrophoretical studies on an alpha-amylase present in midgut homogenates from Rhynchosciara americana (Diptera) larvae. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 56B, 201–209.
Whelan W. J. (1958) Starch and similar polysaccharides. Handbuch der Pflanzenphysiologie (Edited by Ruhland W.), Vol. 6, pp. 154–240. Springer, Berlin.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Adedire, C.O., Balogun, R.A. Amylase Activity in the Gut Homogenate of the Kola Weevil, Sophrorhinus Insperatus Faust and Its Response to Inhibitors from Kola Nuts. Int J Trop Insect Sci 13, 223–230 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400014399
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400014399