Spectrophotometric analysis of the effects of turmeric oil, sweetflag oil, and margosan-O on total proteins, amylase, acetylcholine, and non-specific esterase activities in the corn weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.

Date

3-1990

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Adelina A. Barrion

Abstract

The physiological effects of three botanical extracts, namely turmeric oil, sweetflag oil and neem oil (Margosan-O) on amylase, acetylchollnesterase (ACTH), non-specific esterase activities, and total proteins in the corn weevil S. zeamais were determined through spectrophotometry. Results of the tests showed turmeric oil to be the most lethal to S. zeamais, followed by sweetflag oil, and Margosan-O.Turmeric oil reduced amylase activity most, and Margosan-O the least. ACTH production generally decreased in all of the treatments of oil derivatives, with turmeric oil causing the highest while Margosan-O showed the reverse. Non-specific esterase activities, generally increased. Esterases using beta-napthyl esters as substrate showed greater activity than using alpha-napthyl esters. Margosan-O induced the highest esterase activity and turmeric oil the lowest. The total protein activity decreased as the concentration of the oil increased. Treatments with turmeric oil resulted to lowest protein content, followed by treatments with sweetflag oil and Margosan-O. Turmeric oil significantly affected the physiology of S. zeamais. Margosan-O exhibited the lowest effect on the physiology of S. zeamais tests on protein activities.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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