Modulating the Metabolic Activity of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L. with the Supplementation of Honey and Protein Sources
R Aruna, K. A. Murugesh
Abstract
The present study aimed to assess the effect of honey obtained from different bee species and protein sources on the metabolic changes in mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The results of experiment showed that oral administration of honey and protein sources to silkworm larvae during late-age instars daily once significantly changed metabolic processes. Among the various treatments and concentrations tested, 5 per cent Trigona iridipennis honey significantly increased the carbohydrate in haemolymph (16.71 mg/mL) and fat body (12.38 mg/g) over all other treatments. The lipid content in haemolymph (23.03 mg/mL) and fat body (45.38 mg/g) of silkworm were also found to be superior in the larval batch treated with 5 per cent T. iridipennis. Apart from this, the same treatment was showed statistical superiority in increasing the activity of enzymes viz., aspartate aminotransferase (269.78 µg/mL) and alanine aminotransferase (563.25 µg/mL), which play an important role in protein metabolism.