Effect ofAspergillus flavuson lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes in midgut tissue ofSpodoptera lituralarvae

In the present study, effect ofAspergillus flavuswas analysed on lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes in midgut ofSpodoptera litura.Fungus was administered to the larvae ofS. liturausing artificial diet method having 1.34 mg/mL (LC50) concentration. The fungus toxicity was observed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post treatment in the midgut tissue of insect larvae by examining lipid peroxidation (MDA content) and activities of antioxidant enzymes viz superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) as oxidative stress markers. Additionally, repair of the damage caused due to fungal treatment was also assessed to decipher the longevity of effect by giving control diet to the exposed larvae for two days after particular time exposure using same parameters. In particular, significant (p <= 0.05) increased level of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activities was observed in all exposure time groups with respect to control which showed that midgut of exposed larvae has oxidative predominance. Repair studies demonstrated the negligible repair in insect larvae. In conclusion,A. flavuscontributed to strong oxidative stress and toxicity inS. lituralarvae.

Automated summary

The study revealed significant effects of Aspergillus flavus on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in midgut of Spodoptera litura larvae, indicating oxidative predominance in the exposed larvae. Poor repair capacity was observed in the insect larvae, suggesting strong oxidative stress and toxicity caused by A. flavus in S. litura larvae.