The Roles of Food Plants on the Dispersion Activities of the Variegated Grasshopper,Zonocerus variegatus(L.) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.O. Ademolu ◽  
A.B. Idowu ◽  
O. Onabiyi ◽  
O.A Oke
Keyword(s):  
Food Plants ◽  
Zonocerus Variegatus ◽  
Variegated Grasshopper

scholarly journals Sexual Variations in Nutritive Value of Adult Variegated Grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
K.O ADEMOLU ◽  
S,C SALAMI ◽  
C.I IYEH ◽  
A.A ALADESIDA ◽  
A.O.I JODA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Zonocerus Variegatus ◽  
Variegated Grasshopper

scholarly journals Crystal structure of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxygenase from the grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 422-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Kubitza ◽  
Annette Faust ◽  
Miriam Gutt ◽  
Luzia Gäth ◽  
Dietrich Ober ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid ◽  
Chemical Defence ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Zonocerus Variegatus

The high-resolution crystal structure of the flavin-dependent monooxygenase (FMO) from the African locust Zonocerus variegatus is presented and the kinetics of structure-based protein variants are discussed. Z. variegatus expresses three flavin-dependent monooxygenase (ZvFMO) isoforms which contribute to a counterstrategy against pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs are protoxic compounds produced by some angiosperm lineages as a chemical defence against herbivores. N-Oxygenation of PAs and the accumulation of PA N-oxides within their haemolymph result in two evolutionary advantages for these insects: (i) they circumvent the defence mechanism of their food plants and (ii) they can use PA N-oxides to protect themselves against predators, which cannot cope with the toxic PAs. Despite a high degree of sequence identity and a similar substrate spectrum, the three ZvFMO isoforms differ greatly in enzyme activity. Here, the crystal structure of the Z. variegatus PA N-oxygenase (ZvPNO), the most active ZvFMO isoform, is reported at 1.6 Å resolution together with kinetic studies of a second isoform, ZvFMOa. This is the first available crystal structure of an FMO from class B (of six different FMO subclasses, A–F) within the family of flavin-dependent monooxygenases that originates from a more highly developed organism than yeast. Despite the differences in sequence between family members, their overall structure is very similar. This indicates the need for high conservation of the three-dimensional structure for this type of reaction throughout all kingdoms of life. Nevertheless, this structure provides the closest relative to the human enzyme that is currently available for modelling studies. Of note, the crystal structure of ZvPNO reveals a unique dimeric arrangement as well as small conformational changes within the active site that have not been observed before. A newly observed kink within helix α8 close to the substrate-binding path might indicate a potential mechanism for product release. The data show that even single amino-acid exchanges in the substrate-entry path, rather than the binding site, have a significant impact on the specific enzyme activity of the isoforms.

Nutritive value of variegated grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.)

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1269
Author(s):  
K.O. Ademolu ◽  
S.E. Salami ◽  
C.I. Iyeh ◽  
A.A. Aladesida ◽  
A.O. Joda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Zonocerus Variegatus ◽  
Variegated Grasshopper

Consumption of the variegated grasshopper in Africa: importance and threats

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kekeunou ◽  
J.L. Tamesse
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Zonocerus Variegatus ◽  
Rapid Population Growth ◽  
Crop Pest ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Inorganic Substances ◽  
Continue Research ◽  
Salt And Pepper ◽  
Variegated Grasshopper

Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) is a crop pest widely distributed in Africa. It is an insecttraditionally consumed by humans in Africa. It is therefore important to make an inventory on the consumption of Z. variegatus in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses. This literature review shows that Z. variegatus is collected in field crops and fallows and is best consumed after being fried in red oil with salt and pepper. Z. variegatus consumption brings to the human body several organic and inorganic substances such as fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins. However, a cross-section of the African population do not consume Z. variegatus because consumption of this grasshopper is not part of their customs and/or because of rotten-odours rejected by this insect. When disturbed, it secretes a pungent smelly substance that can justify the rejection expressed against this insect bypredators. The rejection of this insect by predators raised the issue of its toxicity. The toxicity of Z. variegatus would be linked to the presence of alkaloids in the body of this grasshopper. Before the widespread consumption of this insect in our societies, it is important to continue research on: (1) the role of Z. variegatus as a vector (transmissionof diseases); and (2) its ability to poison animals and humans. The outcome of these researches, might enlightenus on the role this insect could play in the mismatch that exists today between rapid population growth in Africa and the availability of foods.

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