Determination of Minimum Effective Concentration of Honey for Optimal Growth, Metabolism and Silk Production in The Silkworm, Bombyx Mori

S. Sivaprasad; N. Thulasi

Volume : IV, Issue : XII, December - 2014

Determination of Minimum Effective Concentration of Honey for Optimal Growth, Metabolism and Silk Production in The Silkworm, Bombyx Mori

S. Sivaprasad, N. Thulasi

Abstract :

The sericultural productivity could be effectively modulated by enriching the silkworm diet with exogenous nutrients like honey. The minimum effective concentration (MEC) that ensures optimal larval growth, active metabolism and higher silk production has been determined in Bombyx mori, by a step– down process using four different concentrations (5%, 3%, 2% and 1%) of honey. While the MEC for larval growth was determined by analyzing changes in the body weight and that of silk production and metabolism by assaying protein levels of the silk gland, fat body and haemolymph. The MEC of honey differs from tissue to tissue. While 2% honey evoked optimal response in body growth and silk protein synthesis, 1% honey triggered optimal protein synthesis in the fat body. Hence, 2% honey is recommended as MEC for modulating growth and silk production and 1 % honey for modulating metabolism in the fat body of silkworm.