Effects of the aspartic protease inhibitor from Lupinus bogotensis seeds on the growth and development of Hypothenemus hampei: An inhibitor showing high homology with storage proteins
Effects of the aspartic protease inhibitor from Lupinus bogotensis seeds on the growth and development of Hypothenemus hampei: An inhibitor showing high homology with storage proteins
The coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei is a major pest causing economic damage. This study explored the use of aspartic protease inhibitors from Lupinus bogotensis (LbAPI) to control the pest. LbAPI was purified and characterized, showing high inhibitory activity against aspartic proteases from H. hampei. In vitro, the recombinant protein (rLbAPI) effectively inhibited protease activity, while in vivo, it caused 50% mortality in larvae at a concentration of 0.91%. These results suggest LbAPI could help develop coffee plants resistant to H. hampei.
