The stored-product mites are the most abundant and frequent group of pests living on the stored food products in Europe. They endanger public health since they produce allergens and transmit mycotoxin-producing fungi. Novel acaricidal compounds with inhibitory effects on the digestive enzymes of arthropods are a safe alternative to the traditional neurotoxic pesticides used for control of the stored-product pests. In this work, we explored the properties of acarbose, the low molecular weight inhibitor of alpha-amylases (AI), as a novel acaricide candidate for protection of the stored products from infestation by Acarus siro (Acari: Acaridae). In vitro analysis revealed that AI blocked efficiently the enzymatic activity of digestive amylases of A. siro, and decreased the physiological capacity of mite's gut in utilizing a starch component of grain flour. In vivo experiments showed that AI suppressed the population growth of A. siro. The mites were kept for three weeks on experimental diet enriched by AI in concentration range of 0.005 to 0.25%. Population growth of A. siro was negatively correlated with the content of AI in the treated diet with a half-population dose of 0.125%. The suppressive effect of AIs on stored-product mites is discussed in the context of their potential application in GMO crops.

Research Institute of Crop Production Drnovska 506 16106 Praha Czech Republic

See more in PubMed

Exp Appl Acarol. 2003;29(1-2):69-87 PubMed

Exp Appl Acarol. 1992 Nov;16(1-2):117-28 PubMed

J Econ Entomol. 2003 Jun;96(3):1005-15 PubMed

Eur J Biochem. 1996 Jun 1;238(2):561-9 PubMed

Annu Rev Entomol. 2002;47:395-433 PubMed

Allergy. 1996 Mar;51(3):176-80 PubMed

Allergy. 1997 Dec;52(12):1233-7 PubMed

Clin Exp Allergy. 1990 Mar;20(2):211-9 PubMed

Trends Biotechnol. 1999 May;17(5):210-6 PubMed

A novel Bartonella-like bacterium forms an interdependent mutualistic symbiosis with its host, the stored-product mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae

Pesticide residue exposure provides different responses of the microbiomes of distinct cultures of the stored product pest mite Acarus siro

Synthetic and Natural Insecticides: Gas, Liquid, Gel and Solid Formulations for Stored-Product and Food-Industry Pest Control

Microbial Communities of Stored Product Mites: Variation by Species and Population

Two Populations of Mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae) Differ in Response to Feeding on Feces-Containing Diets

Detection and localization of Solitalea-like and Cardinium bacteria in three Acarus siro populations (Astigmata: Acaridae)

The effect of antibiotics on associated bacterial community of stored product mites

Growth-suppressive effect of the α-amylase inhibitor of Triticum aestivum on stored-product mites varies by the species and type of diet

Enzymatic activity and immunoreactivity of Aca s 4, an alpha-amylase allergen from the storage mite Acarus siro

Determination of pH in regions of the midguts of acaridid mites

Digestive function of lysozyme in synanthropic acaridid mites enables utilization of bacteria as a food source