Biochemical analysis of mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) and silkworm Bombyx mori enriched with vermiwash

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of vermiwash supplementation on silk worm Bombyx mori. The vermiwash was diluted to different concentration as 10, 25 and 50%. Fresh mulberry leaves were sprayed by each concentration of vermi wash. The leaves were then fed to silk worms from 5th instar stage onwards at four times per day. Group 1 larvae received mulberry leaves without vermiwash spray and served as control, group 2 larvae received 10% vermiwash sprayed mulberry leaves, group 3 larvae received 25% vermiwashsprayed mulberry leaves and group 4 larvae received 50% vermiwash sprayed mulberry leaves. Weight of larvae, silk gland, cocoon, pupa and shell weight of silkworm was significantly increased. Minimum larval weight (2.160 g) was in control and maximum (3.416 g) was in 50% enriched larvae. Silk gland weight of control, 10, 25 and 50% enrichment was 0.511, 0.552, 0.661 and 0.738 g, respectively. The cocoon weight of control, 10, 25 and 50% treatment was 1.065, 1.243, 1.296 and 1.374 g respectively. The shell weight of control (0.171 g) was lower than 10% treatment (0.198 g), 25% treatment (0.247 g) and 50% treatment (0.315 g). There was significant increase in the carbohydrate, protein and lipid of fat body and mulberry leaves. Acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase are significantly increased in the body of B. mori. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.