Detecção de inibidores de tripsina em genótipos de gergelim visando controle de Plodia interpunctella

Abstract

The Brazilian production of grains has grown every year, transforming Brazil in one of the main cereals and oilseeds producers. However, the post-harvest losses are huge, causing production loss by the inadequacy of storage, especially in order of pest occurrence. In the case of sesame, there has been a marked occurrence of P. interpuctella, which attack stored grains accompanied by other pests causing economic damage to the crop. With this, the Breeding Program Sesame Embrapa Cotton seeks alternatives to control these pests by genotypes that express high levels of protein inhibitors (PIs) with ability to inhibit proteolytic digestive enzymes of insects. The objective of this study was to detect trypsin inhibitors in genotypes of sesame (S. indicum L.) with potential use in biotechnological applications and programs to improve the species, aiming selection of genotypes resistant to stored grain pests, so we proceeded to study PIs in 10 sesame genotypes belonging to the Active Germplasm Bank at Embrapa Cotton. The total protein extracts of accessions were extracted and tested in vitro with bovine pancreatic trypsin (BPT) and intestinal homogenate of larvae of P. interpuctella. After selection of the most promising genotypes, we proceeded to a protein fractionation with ammonium sulfate. The protein fractions obtained were analyzed for inhibitory activity with BPT and intestinal homogenate of larvae of P. interpuctella, and yet, as the thermal stability and hydrogen ion and bioassays with P. interpuctella. Data were analyzed by Tukey test at 5% of probability. The results showed the presence of trypsin inhibitors in the total protein extracts of 10 sesame genotypes, ranging from 51% to 90% inhibition, among which, the BRS-SEDA, CNPA G3 and CNPA G4 stood out with 87%, 88% and 90% inhibition, respectively. These genotypes inhibitory activity have been demonstrated for the intestinal homogenate of larvae of P. interpuctella, with inhibition between 60% and 76%. The fractions F2 of the three genotypes were relatively stable to changes in temperature and pH. In the bioassay, the larvae of P. interpuctella. were susceptible to protein extracts of the three genotypes of sesame, with a maximum of 83% mortality of larvae in different strengths with total protein extracts and 58% in fractions F2, however, did not observe statistically a significant difference between genotypes. In this regard, BRS-SEDA, CNPA G3 and CNPA G4 have protein inhibitors that can prevent the development of P. interpuctella, suggesting candidates with potent insecticidal properties to control stored grain pests.