Title of Project:
Inhibition of Phytophagous Insect Pests by Phytocystatins
Members :
- Department of Biological Science and Technology
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Douglas J. H. Shyu
- Prof. Dr. Jue-Liang Hsu
Invited International Teacher:
- Department of Plant Protection
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Retno Dyah Puspitarini
- Department of Biology
- Senior Lecturer, Retno Mastuti
- Department of Food Science and Technology
- Lecturer, Novita Wijayanti
Content of Research or Internship:
The Cross-Nation Research Pilot Project was performed in cooperation with three scholars, Dr. Retno Dyah Puspitarini, an assistant professor of Department of Plant Protection, Dr. Retno Mastuti, a senior lecturer of Department of Biology, and Ms. Novita Wijayanti, a lecturer of Department of Food Science and Technology, from University of Brawijaya, Indonesia. The project focused on the study of potential inhibitory activities of phytocystatins against phytophagous insect pests. The main goals of the project include the expression and purification of phytocystatin from Escherichia coli, the papain inhibitory assays of the purified recombinant phytocystatins, followed by in vitro inhibitory assay against the midgut enzymes found in pest larvae. The application and utilization of phytocystatins as biological control agents against insect pests will practically reduce the use of chemical pesticides, and add values for the maintenance of the ecological system.
Description of Performance:
Phytocystatin, the cysteine protease from plant, has been known to act as a natural defense mechanism in plants to combat phytophagous insect pests attack. In recent years the development of cystatin expressing transgenic crops is of great interest. However, the new genetic resources are much needed for broadening the effectiveness and increasing durability of transgenic plants, given the ability of several insects to overcome the barriers. In this study the cDNAs encoding phytocystatins was conducted to confirm the functionality of the purified recombinant phytocystatins against the midgut enzymes extracted from pest larvae. A feeding assay using artificial seed system was also carried out to elucidate the effects of phytocystatins on pest. A pronounced retardation effect on the developmental period of pest was obtained when high dose of phytocystatins was incorporated. Apparently, the adults body weight and beans weight losses didn’t differ amongst the treatment and control groups, indicating no antifeedant effects of the inhibitors on the late stage of pest larvae. Taking into account of this prominent results, the utilization of phytocystatin as a promising biological control agent might be considered for future applications.
Dr. Retno Dyah Puspitarini, from Department of Plant Protection at University of Brawijaya in Indonesia, visited Department of Biological Science and Technology at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology between 1st August 2018 and 20th August 2018 for three weeks. Dr. Retno Mastuti, from Department of Biology, and Ms. Novita Wijayanti, from Department of Food Science and Technology, visited between 6th August 2018 and 20th August 2018 for 15 days. As the short-term research fellowships, they attended 2019 UNTA Welcoming Party held by Office of International Affairs of NPUST on 16th August. Later they joined Meet The Faculty Seminar and Forum and gave us three lectures on 19th August before they leaved. The dual degree program, the training program and academic research collaboration between departments were discussed. We all agreed to promote academic exchange activities such as student studying exchange for the bachelor and master students, faculty teaching and research exchange, development of academic and training programs, research project collaboration and transfer of technology. We believed that the coordination of academic activities between departments in two universities would enhance cooperation in the biotechnology-related fields of mutual interests.
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