LIPID AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF MUGA SILKWORM, ANTHERAEA-ASSAMA, HOST PLANTS IN RELATION TO SILKWORM GROWTH

The lipid and fatty acid composition of the leaves (tender, medium and mature) of muga host plants, Machilus bombycina, Litsaea monopetala ( primary food plants) and L. cubeba and L. salicifolia (family: Laurace ae) (secondary food plants) was investigated by standard procedures, g as chromatography after saponification and esterification. The total l ipid content of M. bombycina and L. monopetala leaves was recorded to be higher (16 and 18 g%), respectively, than that of L. cubeba (10 g%) and L. salicifolia (12 g%). GC analysis identified the presence of ei ght fatty acids (C14 to C22) and the concentration varied from 0.0297 to 8.1572 g% dry leaf powder. Among the fatty acids, (C14 to C22), pol yunsaturated fatty acids were recorded to be highest in concentration in mature leaves of the primary host plants. The concentrations of sat urated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were found to be at a minimum l evel in all the types of leaves of secondary muga host plants.