Melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation
Abstract To determine the effects of gamma radiation on the melanization process and phenoloxidase activity, Ephestia cautella larvae were exposed to dosages of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 Gy. After irradiation, the number of non melanized larvae and the number exhibiting a slight melanization usua...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48154-w |
| _version_ | 1797415270788104192 |
|---|---|
| author | Ali Hamza Nagwan Zahran |
| author_facet | Ali Hamza Nagwan Zahran |
| author_sort | Ali Hamza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract To determine the effects of gamma radiation on the melanization process and phenoloxidase activity, Ephestia cautella larvae were exposed to dosages of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 Gy. After irradiation, the number of non melanized larvae and the number exhibiting a slight melanization usually increased. The degree of melanization in treated larvae differed significantly from untreated larvae. The amount of melanin usually decreases as the dosage increases and as time passes after the treatment. The results of the phenoloxidase assay indicate that the enzyme activity responds differently to radiation. For instance, at doses of 200, 400, and 800 Gy, the enzyme activity remained consistent in both control and irradiated larvae. However, at doses of 600 and 1000 Gy, the enzyme activity increased to 14.92 and 13.37 O.D. units, respectively, compared to 8.81 O.D. units in the control. In order to determine if irradiated larvae have been previously exposed to ionizing radiation, a quick and easy test based on phenoloxidase activity or the melanization response is presented for use in quarantine treatment. Histological changes, specifically in the pigment granules of melanin, were studied using a light microscope. Upon inspection of the unirradiated larvae, it was observed that brown melanin pigment granules were deposited in the epicuticle and exocuticle layers of the cuticle. When gamma radiation dosages were administered to larvae, it was observed that the melanin pigment gradually diminished until it vanished at the highest dose (1000 Gy). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:45:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a50e99507a874b6ebbd34258f2b0db2c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:45:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a50e99507a874b6ebbd34258f2b0db2c2023-12-03T12:21:46ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-11-011311810.1038/s41598-023-48154-wMelanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiationAli Hamza0Nagwan Zahran1Department of Natural Products Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA)Department of Natural Products Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA)Abstract To determine the effects of gamma radiation on the melanization process and phenoloxidase activity, Ephestia cautella larvae were exposed to dosages of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 Gy. After irradiation, the number of non melanized larvae and the number exhibiting a slight melanization usually increased. The degree of melanization in treated larvae differed significantly from untreated larvae. The amount of melanin usually decreases as the dosage increases and as time passes after the treatment. The results of the phenoloxidase assay indicate that the enzyme activity responds differently to radiation. For instance, at doses of 200, 400, and 800 Gy, the enzyme activity remained consistent in both control and irradiated larvae. However, at doses of 600 and 1000 Gy, the enzyme activity increased to 14.92 and 13.37 O.D. units, respectively, compared to 8.81 O.D. units in the control. In order to determine if irradiated larvae have been previously exposed to ionizing radiation, a quick and easy test based on phenoloxidase activity or the melanization response is presented for use in quarantine treatment. Histological changes, specifically in the pigment granules of melanin, were studied using a light microscope. Upon inspection of the unirradiated larvae, it was observed that brown melanin pigment granules were deposited in the epicuticle and exocuticle layers of the cuticle. When gamma radiation dosages were administered to larvae, it was observed that the melanin pigment gradually diminished until it vanished at the highest dose (1000 Gy).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48154-w |
| spellingShingle | Ali Hamza Nagwan Zahran Melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation Scientific Reports |
| title | Melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation |
| title_full | Melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation |
| title_fullStr | Melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation |
| title_short | Melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth, Ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation |
| title_sort | melanin pigmentation variations in the larval cuticle of almond moth ephestia cautella caused by gamma radiation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48154-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alihamza melaninpigmentationvariationsinthelarvalcuticleofalmondmothephestiacautellacausedbygammaradiation AT nagwanzahran melaninpigmentationvariationsinthelarvalcuticleofalmondmothephestiacautellacausedbygammaradiation |