Exploration of The Effect of Plant α-Amylase Inhibitors On Starch Metabolism in Insect Midgut for Pest Control

Abstract

Plant α-amylase inhibitors are proteins naturally produced by plants as part of their defense mechanisms against herbivorous insects. These inhibitors target α-amylase enzymes, which are critical for starch digestion in the insect gut, disrupting their ability to utilize starch as an energy source. This interference leads to reduced growth, development, and survival of pest species. In the context of pest control, plant α-amylase inhibitors present a promising avenue for sustainable and eco-friendly pest management strategies. The enhanced expression of these inhibitors in genetically modified crops and through direct application, they can selectively target pest insects while minimizing non-target effects. Moreover, their specificity and natural origin make them attractive alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides, addressing concerns over environmental toxicity and pest resistance. This research focuses on the bioavailability of the inhibitors, their interaction with insect α-amylase isoforms, and strategies to optimize their efficacy across a broad range of pest species by inhibiting the starch digestion pathway. One significant source of α-amylase inhibitors is plant seeds. Cereal grains and legume plants contain α-amylase inhibitors that can control the insect body's natural α-amylase activity. Common white, red, and black kidney beans are the source of two forms of lectin-like inhibitors, α-AI1 and α-AI2. These major α-amylase inhibitors (AAI) are specific against insect amylases and cannot affect human or mammalian enzymes. Mathematical simulation was carried in MATLAB which estimated the rate of starch digestion under in vivo conditions in insects. Using mathematical models on Rate Law kinetics and Michaelis-Menten equations for enzyme kinetics, we have performed preliminary studies on the rate kinetics of the formation of these metabolites and the inhibition of the pathway by α-AI1 and α-AI2. The results of the kinetic assay are graphically represented using MATLAB simulation and interpreted which shows that inhibitors stop the action of α-amylase in insects thus prohibiting them from any energy source, eventually impeding their growth in the crops. The continuing discovery of new classes of alpha-amylase inhibitor ensures that exciting discoveries remain to be made. The use of insect amylases to the creation of next-generation pest control instruments and enhancing the safety, stability, and specificity of pesticides remains a future prospect for research.