Nematicidal and Insecticidal Activity of Proteases from Carica papaya and Ananas comosus

Plant proteases are well known for their various industrial applications. Papain, present in papaya latex (Carica papaya) and pineapple bromelain (Ananas comosus), is undoubtedly the most studied widely used vegetable protease food pharmaceutical industry worldwide. However, its potential as a biopesticide has been little explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate activity from Carica peel crown Ananas comosus fruits on agricultural pests. To proteolytic nematodes, extracts, approximately 50 juveniles Panagrellus sp. were placed microtubes. insecticidal effect, larvae pupae Tenebrio molitor L. submerged active denatured extracts. Additionally, T. fed an artificial diet at doses 0, 100, 250, 500 mg/g wheat bran. weight number dead recorded, feeding behavior evaluated. papain caused reduction (p < 0.05) extracts showed toxic effect against molitor. Active resulted absence wings 53.3% adults pupae, no malformation by observed. No mortality observed diet. there strong feed reduction, relative rate consumption, growth conversion efficiency latex. results show that plant have development sustainable alternatives control arthropod pests parasitic nematodes.