Impact of essential oils on enzymes activity, reserve products, biomarkers, and gene expression of Tribolium castaneum

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) are concentrated volatiles renowned for their strong fumigant, contact, feeding deterrence, and repellent effects. These oils can disrupt vital functions and the activity of essential enzymes in major stored product pests like Tribolium castaneum . Hence, the study of the physiological effects of these EOs can provide a better understanding of the impact of EOs and propose new strategies for the control of this pest. Therefore, this review aims to review available data regarding the potential impact of EOs on T. castaneum enzyme activities, biomarkers, gene expression, and transcriptomic profile. Articles retrieved provide interesting findings regarding the activity of digestive enzymes (α-amylase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase) detoxification enzymes (cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, esterase, glutathione S-transferase), antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase) and acetylcholinesterase, ATPase, in adults and larvae exposed to different EOs. Moreover, some articles evaluated the content reserve products (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates) and biomarkers linked to stress (reactive oxygen species), lipid peroxidation (conjugated diene, malondialdehyde), and antioxidant system (reduced and oxidized glutathione). Other molecular aspects were also evaluated, including transcriptomics and gene expression, to assess the physiological interactions after exposure to EOs. • Essential oils (EOs) exhibited biochemical and molecular effects in Tribolium castaneum • EOs induced a significant increase in antioxidant and detoxification enzymes • EOs disrupted the activity of acetylcholinesterase while impacting digestion and reserve products • EOs increased biomarkers and impacted gene expression and transcriptomics of essential enzymes