Avaliação dos parâmetros bioquímicos do inseto Tribolium castaneum através da alimentação com caseína

Abstract

Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionodae) is a brownish-red beetle well known for being a pest of grain storage and causing economic losses in the agricultural sector. It is widely used in studies to control pests through natural products such as plants with insecticidal substances, as well as in genetic, biochemical and metabolism studies. Noting that there are relevant studies on casein as an excellent source of protein for animals and humans, the aim was to investigate whether it would cause any changes in the insect's biochemistry through its ingestion. Analyses using triglyceride and total sugar measurement methodologies helped to analyze two of the insect's most important organs: the fat body and the intestine. Finally, there were differences between the groups studied, with the triglyceride analysis being the most satisfactory.