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Bombyx mori L. is a monophagous insect and it totally depends on the mulberry leaves at their
larval stage. It was recognized that dietary proteins had an effect on silkworm growth and silk
production. But until now, no work was achieved on the role of the peptide(s) isolated from mulberry
leaves on silkworm rearing. In present work an effort was made to investigate the role of low
molecular weight (LMW, 0.5-3 KDa) peptide(s) on silkworm rearing. Role of antioxidant activities
of isolated peptide(s) on silkworm rearing system also was evaluated. For that purpose, mulberry
leaves (S1 cultivar) was introduced in different peptide(s) solution and fed by silkworm larvae
(Nistari variety). Larval growth rate at 5th instar stage was found effective under the influence of
peptide(s). In peptide(s) treatment consumption rate of the larvae was significantly high over
control. Economical parameters like shell weight and shell ratio was enhanced by peptide treatment
than control. Apart from this, LMW peptide(s) exhibited high scavenging activity than high
molecular weight (HMW, 3-10 KDa) peptide(s). HPLC analysis of bioactive peptide fraction was
performed and the peptide with maximum abundance was sequenced. The findings from our study
may perhaps assist the sericulture industry for enhancing silk productivity.
Keywords: Bombyx mori (L.), HPLC, DPPH, Nitric oxide, Low molecular weight peptide.