Quantitative Analysis of 1-Deoxynojirimycin Content Using Silkworm Genetic Resources

1-Deoxynojirimycin(1-DNJ or DNJ), a component in silkworm powder, prevents glucose from being absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine by inhibiting -glucosidase activity. This study compared the functional components of 1-DNJ from various silkworm species using a gene database with those of 1-DNJ produced by silkworms bred through cross-combinations. We utilized comparisons of geographical origins and species of silkworms using a gene database and discovered that 1-DNJ activity was ranked in the following order by species, Japanese (SK-1) > Chinese (C48) > European (Rock191). 1-DNJ constituted varying percentages of silkworm organs in the following order, blood > epithelial tissue > body fat > silk glands. With regard to sex, 1-DNJ, levels were higher in males than females. However, 1-DNJ levels with respect to various genetic traits (blood color, silk color, and egg color) were consistent. In order to study 1-DNJ changes that occurred during cross breeding of the silkworm gene, we bred cross-combinations utilizing SK-1 and C48 silkworms. In conclusion, in order to provide information about the constituents of functional materials contained in silkworm powder, it is imperative that silkworm cross breeding occurs so that the database of functional materials extracted from silkworms will expand.