Extracellular enzyme production by microflora from the gut region of the variegated grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)

Microbial isolates from the gut region of larvae and adults of the variegated grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus) were screened for extracellular production of the enzymes lipase, amylase, esterase, protease, linamarase and cellulase. Using the pour-plate culture technique, 15 bacterial, 4 y...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of tropical insect science 2009-12, Vol.29 (4), p.229-235
Main Authors: Idowu, A.B., Edema, M.O., Oyedepo, M.T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aspergillus
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biosynthesis
cassava
Culture techniques
Entomology
Enzymatic activity
extracellular enzymes
Food plants
gut microflora
Larvae
Life Sciences
Manihot esculenta
Neutralization
Orthoptera
Pyrgomorphidae
Short Communication
Yeasts
Zonocerus variegatus
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Summary:Microbial isolates from the gut region of larvae and adults of the variegated grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus) were screened for extracellular production of the enzymes lipase, amylase, esterase, protease, linamarase and cellulase. Using the pour-plate culture technique, 15 bacterial, 4 yeast and 5 mould isolates were tested. None of the bacterial isolates showed lipase activity, but virtually all showed esterase and protease activities. Many bacterial isolates demonstrated linamarase and cellulase activities, and a few of them amylase activity. Of the yeast isolates, a few had amylase activity. None of the mould isolates showed enzyme activity, except Aspergillus sp., which showed lipase activity. Evidently, the gut of Z. variegatus contains micro-organisms that are able to produce digestive enzymes. Of significance is the biosynthesis of linamarase (β-d-glucosidase) by the grasshopper's gut bacteria, which probably contributes to the insect's neutralization of the toxic effects of cyanogenic glycosides present in cassava (Manihot esculenta), one of its major food plants.
ISSN:1742-7584
1742-7592
DOI:10.1017/S1742758409990312