Biochemical changes produced by gamma irradiation in the alimentary canal of males Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier)

Abstract

The effect of gamma radiation (10, 15 and 20 Gy) on amylase and invertase activities and some metabolites in alimentary canal of five days old males Rhynchophorus ferrugineus was investigated. The optimal pHs for alimentary canal amylase and invertase activities ranged from 6.2-6.5 to 6-6.5, respectively. Amylase and invertase in R. ferrugineus were active in acidic pH, but the activity of invertase was higher than amylase activity. There was a significant (p≤0.05) increase in amylase, invertase activities and total carbohydrate at the dose level; 10 and 15 Gy, but decreased at the dose level; 20 Gy .Total protein and lipid were a significant decrease (p≤0.05) at all dose levels tested. Inrnconclusion, it is obvious that gamma radiation affected the activities of amylase, invertase and total nutrient content in alimentary canal of males R. ferrugineus. But, the greatest marked decrease was at dose level; of 20 Gy.