Plant Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes, Pectinase and Cellulase, in the Digestive System of the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

• Published in: Plant protection science Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 190 - 198
• Main Authors: Vatanparast, M., University of Tehran, Karaj (Iran). Dept. of Plant Protection, Hosseininaveh, V., University of Guilan (Iran). Dept. of Plant Protection, Ghadamyari, M., University of Tehran, Karaj (Iran). Dept. of Plant Protection, Minoo Sajjadian, S., University of Tehran, Karaj (Iran). Dept. of Plant Protection
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Prague Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) 01.01.2014; Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• Subjects: ACTIVADOR ENZIMATICO; ACTIVATEUR D'ENZYME; ACTIVIDAD ENZIMATICA; ACTIVITE ENZYMATIQUE; Calcium; CALCIUM CHLORIDE; Calcium ions; carbohydrase; Cell walls; CELLULASE; Cellulose; CELULASA; CHLORURE DE CALCIUM; CHLORURE DE MAGNESIUM; CHLORURE DE POTASSIUM; CHLORURE DE SODIUM; CLORURO CALCICO; CLORURO MAGNESICO; CLORURO POTASICO; CLORURO SODICO; COLEOPTERA; CULTIVOS TROPICALES; Curculionidae; DIGESTION; digestive; Digestive system; Enzymatic activity; ENZYME ACTIVATORS; ENZYME ACTIVITY; ENZYME INHIBITORS; Enzymes; ESTABILIDAD; Esterase; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acids; FISIOLOGIA DE LA NUTRICION; FRUIT CROPS; FRUTALES; IDENTIFICACION; IDENTIFICATION; INHIBIDORES DE ENZIMAS; INHIBITEUR D'ENZYME; INSECTE DEPREDATEUR DES TIGES; INSECTE NUISIBLE; INSECTOS DANINOS; INSECTOS DANINOS DEL TALLO; Lignocellulose; Magnesium; MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE; Methylcellulose; Midgut; NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGY; Pectin; Pectinase; PECTINESTERASAS; PECTINESTERASE; PEST INSECTS; PESTS OF PLANTS; pH effects; PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA; PHYSIOLOGIE DE LA NUTRITION; PLAGAS DE PLANTAS; PLANTE DE CULTURE TROPICALE; PLANTE FRUITIERE; POTASSIUM CHLORIDE; RAVAGEUR DES PLANTES; RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS; SODIUM CHLORIDE; STABILITE; STABILITY; STEM EATING INSECTS; TEMPERATURA; TEMPERATURE; TEMPS; TIEMPO; TIME; TROPICAL CROPS
• ISSN: 1212-2580; 1805-9341
• DOI: 10.17221/43/2013-PPS

In digestion, the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, has been adapted to overcome the plant cell wall barrier, specially lignocellulosic and pectic compounds, by producing cellulase and pectinase enzymes. Partial biochemical characterisations of cellulase and pectinase were determined in the larval digestive system of the pest. Larval midgut extract showed an optimum activity for cellulase and pectinase against carboxyl methyl cellulose and pectin at pH 6.0 and 7.0, respectively. Larval midgut cellulase and pectinase were more stable at pH 4.0-8.0 and pH 6.0-8.0 than in highly acidic and alkaline condition, respectively. However, cellulase and pectinase showed to be more stable at pH 6.0 and 7.0, respectively, when the incubation time increased. Maximum activity for cellulase and pectinase incubated at different temperatures was observed at 50 deg C. Cellulase and pectinase activity significantly decreased in the presence of EDTA and SDS. On the contrary, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+ significantly affect pectinase activity and K+ did not affect the enzyme activities. Ca2+ and Mg2+ increased cellulase activity as well. KM and Vmax for pectinase activity were 0.92 mg/ml and 290 units/mg. Zymogram analyses revealed the presence of one form of pectin methyl esterase and one form of cellulase in the larval digestive system.