Influence of sex, developmental time and food on beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae L.

The effects of some biological parameters on beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity have been investigated in S. oryzae. There is no significant influence of sex and developmental time on the enzyme activity level, which appears in contrast to be greatly influenced by food (wheat or sorghum). Sorghum contains competitive inhibitors which are almost completely removed after dialysis. Fasting relieves this inhibition very quickly, suggesting that inhibitors act directly at the gut level.