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Effect of alkaloid abrine, isolated from Abrus precatorius Linn. seeds on mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Anitha, B. K. Arivalagan, Maruthaiya Sundari, M. S. Nalina Durairaj, Geetha |
| Copyright Year | 1999 |
| Abstract | Dose dependent depletion of free and bound sugars in mealy bugs, M. hirsutus was observed due to action of abrine, a major constituent of A. precatorius seeds. A significant reduction in protein content (53.57%) was also observed. However, lipid contents increased in the initial concentrations and with the increase in the dosages the contents decreased. This increase in the lipid content in the initial concentrations of 5 and 10 ppm, may be an adaptation to overcome the toxic stress. The observed reduction in free sugars, bound sugars and protein and also lipid in higher concentrations suggests that abrine could have a drastic effect pn the population density of this insect. Compounds of plant origin are safer in use, without phytotoxic properties and do not leave residues in the environment. The plant Abrus precatorius has been used for medicinal purposes by the Hindus from very early times. The juice of the fresh leaves is believed to be effective against leucoderma. But the seeds contain an alkaloid, N-methyl tryptophane called abrine and an amorphous glycoridic substance abriline which are toxic to livestock l . Abrine is easily biodegradable I and is already proved to ·be effective against Eupro~tis jraterncl; its synergistic effects are studied against Culex quinquejasciatus 3 • In view of the above findings, the present study has been designed to investigate the impact of abrine on the biochemical changes of the larvae of mealy bugs, Maconellicoccus hirsutus. Abrine was isolated from A. precatorius seeds following the method of Wildman and Kaufman 4 • Abrine (100 mg) was dissolved in 5 ml of I: I methanol : water to make the stock solution. From this stock solution different concentrations of the alkaloid were prepared in distilled water. Newly moulted third instar larvae of M hirsutus were separated into different containers and w~re fed with Pongamia glabra leaves soaked in different concentrations of the alkaloids. In each concentration 50 larvae were maintained. The assessment of toxicity was based on percentage mortality. The percentage mortality was plotted against different concentrations of the alkaloids and LCso values (the ·Correspondent author concentration which produces 50% mortality) was determined. Based on this value, four different concentrations were chosen and 100 larvae were maintained in each concentration. At the end of final instar, the larvae were sacrificed, oven dried at .60°C and the powdered tissue of the whole body was used for biochemical investigations. Free sugarS, bound sugar6 and total protein 7 were |
| Starting Page | 415 |
| Ending Page | 417 |
| Page Count | 3 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Volume Number | 37 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/19041/1/IJEB%2037(4)%20415-417.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
