Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Protein Concentration and Profile of the Blowfly Maggot (Lucilia robineau) Excretion/Saliva Extract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the free radical scavenging activity, Protein concentration and profile of Blowfly maggot (Lucilia robineau) excretion/secretion (ES).

Place and Duration of Study: Maggot samples were collected from first generation of blowflies reared between June 2014 and July 2015.

Introduction: Maggots of the blowfly have been successfully used as a debridement agent for chronic and infected wounds through history.

Methodology: Antioxidant activity, protein concentration and profiles of the maggot ES of Lucilia robineau was determined using DPPH free radical scavenging activity and Bradford methods

Results: Results showed that maggot ES expressed a free radical scavenging activity with IC50 of 152.66 µg/ml compared with L-ascorbic acid with IC50 of 108.99 µg/ml as a positive control while total protein concentration was 430.51 mg/ml. Protease and specific activities are 1.5x10-2 mg/ml and 28,700.67 IU while the protein fractions are Albumins 36.96%, Alpha Globulins 21.32%, Beta Globulins 31.69% and Gamma Globulins 10.02%.

Conclusion: Therefore, this study revealed that the proteomic content of maggot ES of Lucilia robineau has promising natural antioxidants. This is the first study on antioxidant properties, protein concentration and profile of Blowfly maggot (Lucilia robineau).