Insecticidal effects of antarctic algae ­Prasiola crispa extract in the adult fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of Prasiola crispa extract on a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) model. Toxicity was assessed as % mortality, negative geotaxis behaviour and acetylcholine esterase (AchE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) activities as well as glutathione content (GSH) and hydroperoxide formation. Administration of algae extract (2 mg/mL) to flies for 24 hours resulted in a massive increase in mortality (7.6 fold increase, compared to control). A significant increase in climbing performance, indicating an alteration in negative geotaxis behaviour, was also observed. The AchE activity was unchanged after algae extract treatment for 24 hours. However, GST activity was significantly increased after Prasiola crispa administration. The CAT activity was significantly diminished in flies that received algae extract for 24 hours. Glutathione levels and hydroperoxide formation remained unchanged. Our results show for the first time the toxic effects of an Antarctic algae extract in Drosophila melanogaster. The insecticide action of Prasiola crispa may be related to changes on vital antioxidant systems. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the exact mechanisms of toxicity of this Antarctic alga to Drosophila melanogaster.

Assessment of the chemical profile and potential biocontrol of Amphora coffeaeformis against foodborne pathogens and Culex pipiens L. to ensure food safety

“…Likewise, mangiferin fraction enhanced the AChE activity in treated C. pipiens larvae (Emam et al, 2022). It also observed a significant increase in the AChE activity in the adult fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster after algae (Prasiola crispa) extract treatment for 48 h (Posser et al, 2011).…”

“…Likewise, mangiferin fraction enhanced the AChE activity in treated C. pipiens larvae (Emam et al, 2022). It also observed a significant increase in the AChE activity in the adult fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster after algae ( Prasiola crispa ) extract treatment for 48 h (Posser et al, 2011). Overall, the low expression levels do not necessarily mean that these enzymes are not involved in insect defense against toxicant but might be these enzymes involved in defense against another toxicants not presented in this extract (AlJabr et al, 2017).…”

Neurotoxic Effect Induced by Prasiola Crispa Antarctic-Algae Methanolic Extract in Cockroaches

“…Prasiola crispa (Lightfoot) Kützing (1843) was collected in the ice-free areas near Arctowski Polish Base Region, Admiralty Bay, King George Island (61º 50' -62º 15' S and 57º 30' -59º 00' W), Antarctica. e Prasiola crispa methanolic extract (PCME) was produced as described elsewhere (Posser et al, 2010). e extracts where dissolved in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) previously to animal administration.…”

“…In this habitat, the alga is exposed to a number of stressful conditions, which may give rise to the development of multiple survival strategies, including the production of di erent secondary metabolites (Harwood & Gushina, 2009;Pereira et al, 2009). e studies targeting P. crispa biological activity are scarce, and indeed, our group was the pioneer in investigating the inherent insecticide activity of this alga (Posser et al, 2010). Despite the wealth of literature on the ecological and pesticidal e ects, few studies of plant extracts have considered their mechanism of action.…”

Toxicity of Prasiola Crispa Extract Fractions in the Adult Fruit Fly Drosophila Melanogaster: An Update

“…In a previous report we tested the insecticidal e ect of a crude extract of Prasiola crispa (Posser et al, 2011). In the present study, we obtained three di erent fractions and tested which of them presents higher toxicity on a fruit y (Drosophila melanogaster) model.…”