Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Screening and inhibition of amylase trypsin inhibitor proteins in wheat against Sitophilus granarius
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Chaudhary Sapna, Srivastava Aarshi, Marwal Avinash, Gupta Ramwant, Gaur R. K.
Research Articles | Published: 20 May, 2026
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Keywords: Insect infestation, n Sitophilus granariesn , Human salivary amylase, Wheat, Amylase trypsin inhibitor protein
Abstract
Ensuring global food security is increasingly challenging due to rapid population growth, rising food demand, and significant post-harvest losses caused by insect infestations. Stored-grain pests, particularly Sitophilus granarius, severely reduce wheat quality and quantity, leading to substantial economic losses. Although synthetic insecticides are widely used to manage these pests, their prolonged application poses serious risks to human health and the environment. Plant-derived protease inhibitors represent an eco-friendly alternative, as they function as natural defense molecules by inhibiting digestive enzymes of insects and other herbivores, thereby impairing their growth and survival. In addition to crop protection, these inhibitors have potential applications in managing human metabolic disorders and modulating allergic responses. In the present study, α-amylase and trypsin inhibitor activities were evaluated in protein extracts from 20 wheats (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes against the digestive α-amylases of S. granarius and human salivary amylase. The results revealed significant genotype-dependent variation in inhibitory activity. Notably, six wheat genotypes exhibited strong inhibition of insect digestive enzymes while showing comparatively lower inhibition of human salivary amylase. These findings highlight the potential of selecting specific wheat genotypes as breeding resources for developing insect-resistant cultivars with minimal impact on human digestion. The outcomes of this study may contribute to sustainable pest management strategies and support future genome mapping and marker-assisted breeding programs.
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Author Information
Department of Biotechnology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, India