Antibacterial proteins from non-mulberry silkworms against flacheria causing Pseudomonas aeruginosa AC-3

The muga silkworm, Antheraea assama (Ww) which produces golden yellow silk is indigenous to NE India, due to outdoor rearing it is susceptible to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Diseases which are associated with pathogenic bacteria comes under the general term 'flacherie', which refers to the flaccid condition exhibited by silkworm due to different ailments and is caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa AC-3. This communication reports the induction of antibacterial proteins in haemolymph of silkworm by injecting live non-pathogenic strain of Pseudomonas DAS-01. Protein profile of control and induced pupa were compared. In induced pupa 3 protein/peptide bands were found in low molecular weight region (18-24 kDa). These proteins/peptides were gel eluted as well as purified by Sephadex G-75 and were desalted by Sephadex G-25, G-10. The fractions were lyophilized and tested for antibacterial activity by both in vitro and in vivo methods. The fraction containing low molecular weight proteins were found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa AC-3.