Evaluation of hydrolytic enzyme activities from digestive fluids ofAnthonomus grandis(Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The cotton boll weevil,Anthonomus grandis, is a major pest of cotton crops in South America. In this work, partial biochemical characterizations of (hemi) cellulases and pectinases activities in the digestive system (head- and gut- extracts) ofA. grandiswere evaluated. Gut extract section from third instar larvae exhibited endoglucanase, xylanase, beta-glucosidase, and pectinase activities. The endoglucanase and xylanase activities were localized in the foregut, whereas beta-glucosidase activity was mainly detected in the hindgut. In addition, no difference in pectinase activity was observed across the gut sections. Thus,A. grandisdigestive system is a potentially interesting reservoir for further lignocellulolytic enzymes research.