Characterization of serine proteases and glycosidases using enzyme assay in the mid-gut of adult Trachyderma philistine (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The biochemical activities of some digestive enzymes produced by adult Trachyderma philistine beetle were studied. The mid-gut of adult stage of Trachyderma philistine was separated into anterior, middle, and posterior parts. The total protein of anterior mid-gut was 3.34 mg/dl, and that of middle mid-gut was 2.53 mg/dl and the total protein of posterior mid-gut was 3.21 mg/dl. The highest activity of trypsin was at pH 8 in anterior mid-gut, middle mid-gut, and posterior mid-gut. The highest activity of chymotrypsin in anterior mid-gut was at pH 6, while at pH 7 in middle and posterior mid-guts. Leucine – amino peptidase showed activity at pH 8 in 3 portions of midguts. The carboxypeptidase A showed activity at pH 8  in both the anterior mid-gut and middle mid-guts, while at pH 9 in the posterior mid-gut. The highest pH activity of carboxypeptidase B was 9 in 3 portions of midgut.The total carbohydrates of anterior mid-gut in the adult stage of Trachyderma philistine is 39.2 mg/ml, middle mid-gut is 34.04 mg/ml and posterior mid-gut is 34.9mg/ml .The highest activity of α- glucosidase was at pH 3.6 in anterior and posterior mid-guts while at 4.6 in middle midgut. The highest activity of β glucosidase was at pH 3.6 in anterior and posterior mid-guts while at 4.6 in middle mid-gut. The highest activity of α-galactosidase was at pH 3.6 in 3 portions of midguts. The highest activity of α – amylase is at pH 4.6 in both anterior mid-gut and middle mid-guts, while at pH 3.6 in posterior mid-gut.