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VOL. 10, ISSUE 11 (2025)
Comparative analysis of free amino acids in eggs, larvae, and adults of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors
Sujatha Perumal Sivakumar, Ramanathapuram Sundaram Mohanraj, Pavithran Saminathan
Abstract
The present study investigates the
developmental variations in free amino acid composition across the egg, larval,
and adult stages of Drosophila melanogaster. The objective was to assess
stage-specific differences in amino acid profiles to understand their roles in
metabolism, growth, and physiological regulation. Drosophila cultures
were maintained under controlled laboratory conditions, and samples from each
developmental stage of eggs, first and second instar larvae, and adults were
collected for analysis. Free amino acids were extracted using 5% sulfosalicylic
acid and analysed through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with
o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatization. A total of nine amino acids - Glycine,
Alanine, Arginine, Tryptophan, Cysteine, Aspartic acid, Serine, Cysteic acid,
and Glutamine were detected across the developmental stages. Alanine was the
only amino acid consistently present in all stages, indicating its fundamental
role in energy metabolism. Eggs contain Glutamine, Cysteine, and Cysteic acid,
highlighting their involvement in embryonic biosynthesis. Larvae exhibited the
highest amino acid diversity, with prominent levels of Aspartic acid and
Serine, suggesting active protein synthesis and metabolic turnover during
growth. Adult flies showed the unique presence of Arginine and Tryptophan,
reflecting their roles in reproductive and neurophysiological functions. The
findings demonstrate a clear developmental modulation of amino acid composition
in Drosophila, revealing metabolic shifts aligned with growth and
physiological demands. These results provide valuable insight into the
biochemical basis of insect development and establish a foundation for future
quantitative and mechanistic studies on amino acid metabolism in Drosophila
and other model insects. The developmental modulation of amino acid composition
may also serve as a biochemical indicator of metabolic or toxicological stress
during ontogenesis.
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Pages:22-25
How to cite this article:
Sujatha Perumal Sivakumar, Ramanathapuram Sundaram Mohanraj, Pavithran Saminathan "Comparative analysis of free amino acids in eggs, larvae, and adults of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 11, 2025, Pages 22-25
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