Amylase activity in the gut homogenate of the kola weevil, Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust and its response to inhibitors from kola nuts
1992
Adedire, C.O. | Balogun, R.A.
Some properties of the gut amylase of Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust have been studied. The enzyme has maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 45 degrees C. It is activated by Cl(-), Ca(2+) and Cd(2+) ions and inhibited by Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) ions. Low Michaelis constants of 0.26 mg/ml and 0.32 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.
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