<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of the present research was to determine the basic composition of the organic compounds present in extracts from Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of the honeybee. The total protein content was 9.16 ± 0.82 mg/100 mg of body weight, lipid content was 9.81 ± 1.99 mg/100 mg, and carbohydrate content was 26.67 ± 4.52 mg/100 mg. The triacylglycerol content was 2.40 ± 0.86 mg/100 mg and the cholesterol content was 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/100 mg. Thin layer chromatography indicated that phospholipids comprised the major part of the lipid component; cephalins (78%), cerebrosides (16%), and lecithins (6%) were identified in the phospholipid pool. Glucose (23.6 ± 4.52 mg/100 mg) was the main carbohydrate, followed by glycogen (5.43 ± 1.23 mg/100 mg) and trehalose (0.35 ± 0.07 mg/100 mg). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays detected two major glycogen metabolism enzymes, glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthase. Among the enzymes metabolising disaccharides, maltase (24.7 ± 2.38 μmol/mg protein) and trehalase (14.81 ± 5.21 μmol/mg protein) presented the highest activity. Saccharose and lactose were hydrolysed to a minor extent. These are the first measurements of the basic composition of the mite body. Although these data are not exhaustive, they may serve as the basis for further research on the metabolism of V. destructor, particularly concerning lipid metabolism.</p></abstract>

The aim of the present research was to determine the basic composition of the organic compounds present in extracts from Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of the honeybee. The total protein content was 9.16 ± 0.82 mg/100 mg of body weight, lipid content was 9.81 ± 1.99 mg/100 mg, and carbohydrate content was 26.67 ± 4.52 mg/100 mg. The triacylglycerol content was 2.40 ± 0.86 mg/100 mg and the cholesterol content was 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/100 mg. Thin layer chromatography indicated that phospholipids comprised the major part of the lipid component; cephalins (78%), cerebrosides (16%), and lecithins (6%) were identified in the phospholipid pool. Glucose (23.6 ± 4.52 mg/100 mg) was the main carbohydrate, followed by glycogen (5.43 ± 1.23 mg/100 mg) and trehalose (0.35 ± 0.07 mg/100 mg). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays detected two major glycogen metabolism enzymes, glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthase. Among the enzymes metabolising disaccharides, maltase (24.7 ± 2.38 μmol/mg protein) and trehalase (14.81 ± 5.21 μmol/mg protein) presented the highest activity. Saccharose and lactose were hydrolysed to a minor extent. These are the first measurements of the basic composition of the mite body. Although these data are not exhaustive, they may serve as the basis for further research on the metabolism of V. destructor, particularly concerning lipid metabolism.

The body composition and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism of Varroa destructor

Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 1A Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Division of Reproductive Biology, Tuwima Str.10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland

Journal of Apicultural Science

{"article-title":"The body composition and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism of Varroa destructor"}

The aim of the present research was to determine the basic composition of the organic compounds present in extracts from Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of...

The body composition and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism of Varroa destructor

Published Online: Dec 31, 2013

Page range: 93 - 100

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2013-0020

This content is open access.