Effect of alloxan on the locomotor ability and developmental stages of Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon-R)

Background Various bleaching agents are used in food industries among which some reacts to form alloxan. Therefore, the alloxan can indirectly enter a human body and thus form an important aspects for studying its effect on the development. In the present study, the effect of alloxan was studied on the climbing ability, pupation and emergence of flies. Fifty first instar larvae were introduced separately in the vials containing 0.001, 0.002, 0.003 and 0.004 M of alloxan. Then, the duration of pupation as well as the emergence of flies was noted each day till 20 days. The climbing assay was performed on the emerged flies. Results The results suggest that alloxan at 0.002, 0.003 and 0.004 M is potent in inducing the delay in pupation, emergence (of adult flies) and decreased locomotor activity of Drosophila melanogaster . Conclusions Alloxan exhibits toxic effects at 0.002, 0.003 and 0.004 M in Drosophila.