Comparative Effects of Vitamin C and Soy Protein Supplementation on Growth Performance and Cocoon Traits of Bombyx mori
Joseph D. Livingston *
Department of Zoology and Research Centre, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
C. Albert
Department of Zoology, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Silkworm nutrition plays a crucial role in determining larval growth, survival, and cocoon productivity in sericulture. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and soy protein on the growth performance and cocoon parameters of the mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Fifth instar larvae were fed mulberry leaves fortified with graded concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%) of Vitamin C and soy protein, while a control group received untreated leaves. Key biological and economic traits including larval weight, cocoon weight, pupal weight, shell weight, and shell ratio were recorded. Supplementation significantly improved larval growth and cocoon characteristics compared to the control. Among Vitamin C treatments, 0.2% concentration produced the maximum yield, indicating optimal physiological and metabolic support at this level. In contrast, 0.4% soy protein supplementation resulted in the highest cocoon productivity, suggesting enhanced protein availability for silk synthesis. The results highlight the importance of targeted nutritional fortification of mulberry leaves and demonstrate that Vitamin C and soy protein supplementation can serve as effective strategies for improving silkworm productivity and sustaining sericulture efficiency.
Keywords: Bombyx mori, sericulture, Vitamin C supplementation, soy protein, cocoon traits, silkworm nutrition