Effect of BSF Macerative on the Quality of Spun by the Mature Larval Instars of Silkworm, Bombyx mori (L)

Abstract

Food quality and the health status of stages of larval instars of silkworms reflect on the quality of the silk cocoon in sericulture. The pre-pupal stages of black soldier fly (BSF) are with significant quantity and quality of the proteins including the antimicrobial proteins (AMPs). The methanol solution of BSFMeal with the strength of 100 mg/L (100 ppm) was used in the present attempt for the topical application to the fifth instar larval stages of the silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) (Double Hybrid Race). The topical application of methanol solution of BSF-Meal was made at forty-eight hours after the fourth molt. The group of larvae treated with a methanol solution of cecropin (as a standard antimicrobial peptide) with the strength of 100 mg/L (100 ppm), the untreated group of larvae, and solvent-treated group of larvae was also maintained. Treating the fifth instar larvae with a methanol solution of BSF-Meal and a methanol solution of cecropin was found to reflect the significant improvement in the economic characteristics of the cocoons and silk fiber. The weight (grams) of the cocoon (deflossed whole), weight (grams) of silk shell, pupal weight (grams), and percentage of silk shell or ratio in the group of larvae recipient of the topical application of methanol solution of BSF-Meal was recorded 2.786** (±0.719); 0.687** (±0.194); 2.099 and 24.659***, respectively. The silk fiber length (meter); silk fiber weight (gram) and denier scale of silk fiber obtained through reeling the cocoons harvested from the group of larvae treated with a methanol solution of BSF-Meal were recorded at 1358.59*(±216.64); 0.606** (±0.123) and 4.014***, respectively. The weight (grams) of the cocoon (deflossed whole), weight (grams) of silk shell, pupal weight (grams), and percentage of silk shell or ratio in the group of larvae recipient of the topical application of methanol solution of cecropin was recorded 3.189** (±0.918); 0.796** (±0.194); 2.393 and 24.960***, respectively. The silk fiber length (meter); silk fiber weight (gram) and denier scale of silk fiber obtained through reeling the cocoons of cecropin treated group were recorded at 1494.61*(±169.55); 0.796** (±0.118) and 4.793***, respectively. Efficient use of a source of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) (BSF-Meal) in methanol solution for topical application to the silkworm larvae serves to orchestrate the fortification of health through preventing the infection of microbial pathogens and significant yield of silk product.