Estimation of Amylase Enzyme Levels in Drosophila melanogaster Exposure to Malathion Organophosphate Poisoning

Abstract

Amylase, being a digestive enzyme breaks down polysaccharides, such as starch into simple sugars like glucose and maltose. Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide which is widely used in the agricultural field. Hence, the objective of this paper was to estimate amylase level in Drosophila melanogaster as a consequence of exposure to malathion organophosphate poisoning using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained show that mean amylase activity for control sample was 8.41±0.001 whereas mean Amylase activity for treated sample was 5.67±0.021 (mean ± standard error). The difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001).  In malathion treated 3^rd instar larvae, a significant reduction in amylase levels was observed in this study which indicates potential metabolic abnormalities and impaired energy production due to decreased starch digestion. Low amylase levels are associated with increased morbidity and delayed growth rate due to reduced glucose levels. This study represents the relationship between amylase levels and clinical outcomes in acute organophosphate poisoning. Long-term organophosphate exposure may also affect human health, particularly in relation to chronic diseases such as type II diabetes mellitus. Our finding underscores that exposure to malathion like insecticide disrupts amylase activity and plays a critical role in energy metabolism.