Studies on Hydrogen-ion-concentration in Tasar Silkworm (Antheraea proylei Jolly)

Abstract

Silk is a proteinaceousfibresynthesised by the silkworms from a specialized organ known as silkglands which are nothing but the modified labial glands of certain lepidopteran insects. The hydrogen- ion concentration in the larval haemolymph, silkgland and food leaves of Antheraea proylei has been determined by “ Indicator paper technique†and“ Universal indicator techniqueâ€Â. The pH of larval haemolymph and silk gland has been found in range 6.0-6.5 each and 5.5-6.2 in the food leaves. The mean values of haemolymph, silkgland and food leaves have been calculated to be 6.3±0.0596, 6.21±0.0586 and 5.88±0.0772 respectively. The multiple correlation co-efficient of silkgland on haemolymphand food has been found to be R²=93.6% and significant at 1% level.