Biological Management of Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental fruit fly) through Enzymatic Activity of Beauveria bassiana

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana is a viable option for the biocontrol of numerous significant pest insects. Fungal spores adhere to the cuticle after invading the host body. One of the groups of enzymes that entomopathogenic fungi have that guarantees good penetration is cuticle destroying enzyme. A recent study found that it is possible to extract the crude cuticle-degrading enzymes from B. bassiana and combine them with mycelium to make the organism more harmful for its host. With a pH of 8.6, the molecular weights of the samples (enzymes) were calculated in kDa for both the resolving gel (12%), and the stacking gel (4%). The result showed that, unlike the traditional key, discrete bands with different sizes appeared after the gel was stained and distaining. The proteases, lipases, and chitinase were confirmed by the bands detected at 19, 50, 25, 32, and 34.25 kDa, respectively. The raw enzymes that were isolated were applied in quantities of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25µL to larvae, pupae, and adults. At 25µL/mL, the death rates for larvae and adults were found to be 78.50±2.10% and 80±2.15%, respectively. The mortality was 13.33±1.92% at lower dosages (5µL/mL), with control coming in second. The treated insects showed a low proportion of adult emergence (10±2.63%) from pupae, while the untreated group of insects showed a greater percentage (65.0±5.77%) of adult emergence. The outcome demonstrated that concentration affected both adult emergence from pupae and mortality. Consequently, the addition of CDE to B. bassiana mycelium increased its pathogenicity against various phases of Bactrocera dorsalis life cycle.