A Chitinase and a β-1,3-Glucanase Isolated from the Seeds of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculataL Walp) Inhibit the Growth of Fungi and Insect Pests of the Seed
✍ Scribed by Gomes, Valdirene M; Oliveira, Antônia Elenir A; Xavier-Filho, José
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1996
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 527 KB
- Volume
- 72
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0022-5142
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
A chitinase (22 000 Da) and a p-1,3-glucanase (26 000 Da) were isolated from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds and shown to deter development, in an in uitro assay, of the phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (agent of anthracnose, a disease of many plants) and Colletotrichum musae (agent of banana peel anthracnose). The isolated chitinase was also shown to negatively affect the development of the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) in an artificial seed system. These results suggest that the cowpea seed contains defence proteins that could be, if their levels are properly managed, utilised to promote increased protection of the plant towards attacking fungi and insects.