Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering

h-index: 6     i10-index: 4

Azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its insecticidal activity against Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Seham Mansour Ismail

Insect Population Toxicology Department, Central Agricultural Pesticides Laboratory, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt

10.48309/jase.2026.578998.1103
Abstract
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest of maize, and its control requires the use of insecticides. The increasing prevalence of insecticide resistance in S. frugiperda highlights the urgent need for new, effective, and environmentally safe strategies. Azurin, a redox-active protein produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was evaluated for its insecticidal potential against S. frugiperda larvae. Biochemical assays measured the effects on nutritional physiology and enzymatic activities in larvae. Larval bioassays revealed that azurin exhibited potent toxicity, with an LC₅₀ values of 94.40, 42, 13.30, 3.55 µg/mL after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively of exposure. The larval mortality rate increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Azurin also negatively affected the development of insect along with significant decline in relative growth and consumption rate as well as efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food of insect. The azurin significantly decreased the reproductive potential of insect. A significantly decrease in the activity of various digestive enzymes and detoxifying enzymes was also observed that might be associated with reduced survival of this insect. These results suggest that azurin exhibits significant larvicidal activity and the ability to disrupt S. frugiperda metabolism functions, making it a promising candidate for controlling this pest.

Graphical Abstract

Azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its insecticidal activity against Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)

Keywords

Azurin
Fall armyworm
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Nutritional physiology
Biochemical analysis
Subjects
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Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering
Volume 8, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 97-109

  • Receive Date 24 March 2026
  • Revise Date 13 May 2026
  • Accept Date 20 May 2026

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