Molecular identification of four different alpha-amylase inhibitors from baru (Dipteryx alata) seeds with activity toward insect enzymes

J Biochem Mol Biol. 2007 Jul 31;40(4):494-500. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2007.40.4.494.

Abstract

The endophytic bruchid pest Callosobruchus maculatus causes severe damage to storage cowpea seeds, leading to economical losses. For this reason the use of alpha-amylase inhibitors to interfere with the pest digestion process has been an interesting alternative to control bruchids. With this aim, alpha-amylase inhibitors from baru seeds (Dipteryx alata) were isolated by affinity chromatographic procedures, causing enhanced inhibition of C. maculatus and Anthonomus grandis alpha-amylases. To attempt further purification, this fraction was applied onto a reversed-phase HPLC column, generating four peaks with remarkable inhibition toward C. maculatus alpha-amylases. SDS-PAGE and MALDI-ToF analysis identified major proteins of approximately 5.0, 11.0, 20.0 and 55 kDa that showed alpha-amylase inhibition. Results of in vivo bioassays using artificial seeds containing 1.0% (w/w) of baru crude extract revealed 40% cowpea weevil larvae mortality. These results provide evidence that several alpha-amylase inhibitors classes, with biotechnological potential, can be isolated from a single plant species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Dipteryx / chemistry*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / isolation & purification
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Insecta / drug effects*
  • Insecta / enzymology*
  • Molecular Weight
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • alpha-Amylases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • alpha-Amylases