Action of C-Phycocyanin Pigment and Cell Extracts of Tolypothrix sps. on the Biochemical Activity of Eri Silkworm and Their Antifungal Activity

Soil samples were collected from different agro-climatic regions of north Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Sterilized nitrogen free BG-11 medium was used for isolation of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria. Antifungal activity of four strains of Tolypothrix were studied. Methanolic extracts from biomass of selected Cyanobacteria were isolated and screened against four strains of fungi (Candida albicans, Candida guilliermondii, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus). The growth of all fungal strains tested were inhibited by the culture extracts and C-phycocyanin. Bioassay studies of Eri silkworm expressed no symptom of ill-health after feeding the C-phycocyanin treated castor leaves (Ricinus cummunis), and body weight and silk gland weights were also increased compared to control sample. The present study is also envisaged on the impact of phycocyanin of Tolypothrix species on the carbohydrate content and amylase activity in Eri silkworm (Samia cynthia ricim). According to the obtained results it is concluded that extracts from Tolypothrix sp. could be used traditionally in the treatment of microbial infections and also for the increase of carbohydrate and amylase activity in the silkworm under investigation.