SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF HONEY AND LEMONJUICE-ENRICHED MULBERRY DIETS ON THE DIGESTIVE METABOLISM OF THE SILKWORM, BOMBYX MOR

Abstract

Synergistic impact of honey and lemon juice-enriched mulberry diets has been studied on the digestive metabolism of fth instar larval Bombyx mori. The study focused on the digestibility of proteins, carbohydrates, sucrose and cellulose by their digestive enzymes in the larval midgut wall and midgut lumen compartments and biomass accumulation in the gut wall. The honey and lemon juice-enriched diets showed positive impact on protease activity and protein digestion, but did not show discernable effect on the activity levels of α-amylase, sucrase and cellulase and the digestibility of carbohydrates, sucrose and cellulose. Nevertheless, they signicantly reinforced the digestive mass accumulation in gut wall cells in accordance with the Hutchinson's investment principle. Further, as evidenced by higher growth rates in the digestive parameters during rst ve days of the fth instar regime, the rate of biomass accumulation is ne-tuned by the timing of acquisition of critical larval body size determinants.