STUDY OF ACID PHOSPHATASES IN THORACIC MUSCLES OF MUSCA DOMESTICA L.

SUMMARY The activity of acid phosphatases was tested in thoracic muscles of Musca domestica L. (WHO/IN/Musca domestical/1) at pH 4.8 and at 38°C. p-nitrophenylphosphate (NPP) was used as substrate. The course of the enzymatic reaction in function with the time and in function with the different substrate concentrations was examined. The activity of these enzymes in the course of the adult life of the two sexes was analyzed: this decreases with time being greater in the females up until the 9th day. After this, the males present a greater activity which reaches its maximum point on the 15th day. The decrease in activity for both sexes is greatest within the first 9 days of adult life.