Phytoecdysteroids containing plant extracts of sida acuta enhance the cocoon performance of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

The effect of Sida acuta plant extract were tested against IV instar larvae of silkworm for improving the cocoon performance of of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The ethyl acetate solvent extract of Sida acuta containing phytoecdysteroids were supplemented at (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) to IV instars larvae of Bombyx mori. The cocoon characteristic were enhanced by various concentration of plant extract. The effective intensity was depending on the time and dose exposure. The plant extract at 2.0% concentration resulted increased cocoon weight. The average pupa weight, shell weight, shell ratio, silk filament length, sericin and fibroin content were also increased with this supplementation of plant extract over the control. In the present study the phytoecdysteroid of Sida acuta have growth promoting effect in silkworm which helps to enhance the cocoon performance of silk in Bombyx mori.