Due to the deleterious effect of chemical pesticides on human and environment, accelerated researchers to find a novel environmental friendly alternatives. Chitinase enzyme is a promising biocontrol agent against various crop pests including insects, nematodes and pathogenic fungi. In this context, here we elucidate the molecular toxicity of chitinase against the crop pest Corcyra cephalonica. Genotoxic effects of chitinase in C. cephalonica was evaluated and analyzed by estimation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation and Comet assay. The results revealed that chitinase is able to induce oxidative stress followed by ROS generation (33,101.63 AU at the dose of 500 ppm), DNA damage and apoptosis (in live cell 70.09% and early apoptotic 28.07%). Moreover, by off target effects of chitinase on murine cell lines (L929) by cell viability method. The assay showed that chitinase doesn’t exhibit negative effects in L929 cells. Overall the present study conclude that chitinase cause genotoxic effects in the larvae of C. cephalonica. Therefore, chitinase can be utilized as a potent biocontrol agent against various crop pests.

由于化学农药对人类和环境的有害影响，加速了研究人员寻找一种新型的环保替代品。几丁质酶是一种有前途的生物防治剂，可抗多种农作物害虫，包括昆虫，线虫和致病真菌。在这种情况下，我们在此阐明几丁质酶对农作物害虫Corcyra cephalonica的分子毒性。几丁质酶对头孢梭菌的遗传毒性作用通过评估活性氧（ROS），流式细胞仪，DNA片段化和彗星分析来评估和分析。结果表明，几丁质酶能够诱导氧化应激，随后产生ROS（在500 ppm剂量下产生33,101.63 AU），DNA损伤和凋亡（在活细胞中为70.09％，早期凋亡为28.07％）。此外，通过细胞活力方法，几丁质酶对鼠细胞系（L929）的脱靶作用。该测定表明几丁质酶在L929细胞中没有显示出负面作用。总的来说，本研究得出结论，几丁质酶引起头孢梭菌幼虫的遗传毒性作用。因此，几丁质酶可用作有效的抗多种农作物害虫的生物防治剂。