Foliar supplementation of ascorbic acid modulates biochemical performance of silkworm, Bombyx mori under thermal stress

Dietary supplementation of ascorbic acid was found to be effective in modifying the composition of essential biomolecules. A relative investigation on effects of exogenous dietary supplementation of 0.2% ascorbic acid on the fifth instar larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori exposed to a high thermal stress of range 40 ± 2 °C was carried out in the lab-set conditions. The observed elevation in various biomolecules, viz., DNA, RNA, protein, lipids, and carbohydrates were quantified in both the thermal stress-induced test groups and in the control, set aside. The test results so obtained were proven to be statistically significant. The present study reveals that foliar supplementation of ascorbic acid has been effective in positively-modulating the biochemical performance in larvae exposed to thermal stress. Moreover, the study also uncovers the possibilities of ascorbic acid as a potential candidate, capable of facilitating the production of good quality cocoons, from larvae exposed to thermal stress. •India is a tropical country where the atmospheric temperature in the summer may range between 28 -35 °C at night and 35–40 °C in the day. These fluctuations in temperature are harmful to the survival and pupation of silkworms, especially the bivoltine breeds, incur heavy loss to the industry.•Thermal stress may lead to oxidative damage and oxidative stress, which involves elevated intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage lipids, proteins, and DNA.•Ascorbic acid, known to be a free radical scavenger. It is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant, protecting against oxidative damage to DNA, membrane lipids and proteins.•Foliar supplementation of ascorbic acid is more useful in enhancing the biochemical parameters and antioxidant defenses of silkworm than the control one.•Therefore, B.mori larvae under thermal stress were seen to employ both the quantitative and modulation strategies in response to ascorbic acid supplementation.