On the enzymes’ actions of entomopathogenic fungi against certain indigenous and invasive insect pests

Abstract Background Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) depends mainly on their ability to produce efficient enzymes, which degrade insect’s integument and other cellular components. Lipases are the first enzymes secreted by these fungi, then proteases, phospholipases, chitinases. Results Twenty-six fungal strains, isolated from aphids, Aphis sp., Linnaeus (Homoptera, Aphididae), tomato leaf minor, Liriomyza trifolii , Burgess (Diptera, Agromyzidae) (indigenous insects), red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata Saunders Tephritidae) (invasive insects) were tested for enzymatic activities. showed that majority strains able lipolytic with most active being Aspergillus niger Botryotrichum atrogriseum Cochliobolus spicifer Fusarium chlamydosporum F. proliferatum . Phospholipase was successfully produced 73.1% among flavus A. Mucor racemosus Pochonia chlamydosporia var. catenulata Scopulariopsis brevicaulis highest producers. Proteolytic detected in cultures all except chevalieri M. The best proteolytic strain S. followed A sydowii F semitectum chitinolytic generally weak relatively species belonged B. solani Nigrospora oryzae Quantitative determination chitinase revealed enzyme concentration ranged 3.478 6.44 IU/ml. Conclusion Most had activities, but P. brevicaulis, ones.