Nutritional Studies withBlattella germanica(L.) Reared Under Aseptic Conditions: III. Five Essential Amino Acids

Abstract

Amino acids, the main constituents of protein, are needed by animals for the synthesis of the new body tissue during growth and for the regeneration of old tissues in the adult. They take part in the formation of almost all substances in the body and perform an important function in many physiological processes. When these acids are not available to the animal in sufficient quantities, characteristic metabolic disturbances and pathological conditions result. Amino acids have a similar role in insect physiology and hence have an important bearing upon problems related to insect pathology, toxicology and ecology. Unfortunately, however, very few attempts have been made to investigate the importance of amino acids in the diet of insects.