384508

Toxicity and Nutritional Disruptions Induced by Aspergillus melleus Alkaline Protease in Insect Larvae

Article

Last updated: 04 Jan 2025

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Abstract

This study investigates the insecticidal potential of Aspergillus melleus protease on Galleria mellonella larvae, revealing significant biological effects, including increased mortality, developmental delays, adverse impacts on nutritional indices, and histopathological changes. Fungal spores were isolated from soil in El-Khatatba and cultured to produce protease enzyme, with optimal production occurring at pH 8, 35°C, and 72 hours of incubation.  A dose-dependent increase in larval and pupal mortality was observed, with LC50 and LC90 values determined as 1.9 × 10⁶ and 2.5 × 10⁸ spores/mL, respectively. Spore concentrations significantly delayed the larval and pupal development and induced morphological deformities in G. mellonella. Histopathological examination revealed damage to the midgut epithelial layer of the larvae, contributing to impaired nutrient absorption. Nutritional indices revealed a marked decrease in relative growth and consumption rates, as well as reduced conversion efficiency and increased feeding deterrence. These findings highlight the potential of A. melleus protease as a bio-insecticide, with G. mellonella serving as a model insect for evaluating its effectiveness.

DOI

10.21608/jppp.2024.323481.1267

Keywords

Entomopathogenic fungi, Protease activity, Insect nutritional indices, histopathology, biological control

Authors

First Name

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Last Name

Kobisi

MiddleName

A.

Affiliation

Plant Protection Department, Desert Research Center, 1 Mathaf El Matariya Street, El Matariya, Cairo, 11753, Egypt

Email

nkobisi@yahoo.com

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Volume

15

Article Issue

9

Related Issue

50204

Issue Date

2024-09-01

Receive Date

2024-10-07

Publish Date

2024-09-01

Page Start

299

Page End

304

Print ISSN

2090-3677

Online ISSN

2090-3758

Link

https://jppp.journals.ekb.eg/article_384508.html

Detail API

https://jppp.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=384508

Order

9

Type

Original Article

Type Code

888

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology

Publication Link

https://jppp.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Toxicity and Nutritional Disruptions Induced by Aspergillus melleus Alkaline Protease in Insect Larvae

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Article

Created At

30 Dec 2024