The body composition and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism of Varroa destructor

Abstract

A b s t r a c tThe 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.

Fatty acid composition of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and its host the worker prepupae of Apis mellifera

“…The proximate chemical composition of V. destructor , including total lipid content and the concentrations of the main lipid fractions, is described by Łopieńska‐Biernat et al (). The FA profiles of V. destructor and its host, drone prepupae of Apis mellifera carnica , are largely similar, although both qualitative and quantitative differences are noted (Dmitryjuk et al , ).…”

Insights into the metabolism and behaviour of Varroa destructor mites from analysis of their waste excretions

“…Also, the inhibition of the activity of bee hemolymph proteinases by Varroa extracts has been observed (Fraczek et al ., 2012 ). A comprehensive study of the carbohydrate metabolism of Varroa detected two major glycogen metabolism enzymes, glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthase, along with other important findings regarding their lipid metabolism (Lopieńska–Biernat et al ., 2013 ). Additional work has provided details of the sterol composition and synthesis capacity of host honey bees and Varroa mites (Hartfelder and Feldlaufer, 1997 ).…”