Biochemical characterisation of α-amylase in two aphid species, Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and A. gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

We identify and characterise α-amylases of the two aphid species, A. fabae and A. gossypi. To do this, α-amylases of the two insect species were extracted and their activities were determined using 1% soluble starch. Results showed that α-amylase, which hydrolyses starch, is present in both aphids. Also, it was shown that optimum pH and temperature for the α-amylases of both species is 7.0 and 40°C, respectively. Gel assays using zymogram analysis showed that in both aphid species more than one isoform (two isoforms) of α-amylases hydrolyszing carbohydrates are present.