Biochemical characteristics of different silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) breeds and their relationship with key economic traits

Abstract

The present investigation evaluated haemolymph biochemical constituents and enzyme activities in different bivoltine silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) breeds during the fifth instar and assessed their relationship with important economic traits. Significant inter-breed variation was observed for total carbohydrates, glucose, glycogen, trehalose, total lipids, protease, aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) activities. Correlation studies demonstrated strong positive associations of most haemolymph biochemical parameters and enzyme activities with key economic traits such as larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, silk productivity, cocoon yield, pupation rate, fecundity and filament length, while negative correlations were observed with larval duration. Overall, the results highlight the importance of haemolymph biochemical profiling as a reliable indicator of metabolic efficiency and productive potential.