Some properties of the gut amylase of Sophrorhinus insperatus Faust have been studied. The enzyme has maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 45°C. It is activated by C−, Ca2+ and Cd2+ tons and inhibited by Cu2+ and Hg2+ lons. Low Michaelis constants of 0.26 mg/ml and 032 mg/ml were obtained for the larva and adult gut amylases. Enzymatic activity was found to be consistently higher in the larva than in adult stage, probably suggesting the larval stage as the most destructive stage. Extracts of Cola nitida (Vent) Schott and Endlicher and C. acuminata (Pal de Beauv) Schott and Endlicher, inhibited amylase activity in vitro at varying magnitudes. The higher level of inhibitors in C. acuminata is an index of its low susceptibility to weevil attack both on the field and at storage.
