Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Venom of Hottentota tamulus (Fabricius) and Androctonus finitimus (Pocock) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Musca domestica

| In the present study, different venom fractions were isolated from the crude venom of Hottentota tamulus (Fabricius, 1798) and Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897) by HPLC. The toxicity and acetylcholinesterase activity of selected venom fractions were determined using of Musca domestica adults. Only one fraction (out of 7) from H. tamulus venom and one fraction (out of 5) of A. finitimus venom were selected on the basis of their maximum yield. The approximate molecular weights of these selected venom fractions were determined by SDS Gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of venom fractions of H. tamulus and A. finitimus used in the study were 36kDa and54kDa, respectively. The doses of venom fractions used during the study ranged from 10-30μg/ml. Both venom fractions significantly inhibited the activity of AChE. However, 30μg/ml dose of both scorpion venom caused 100% mortality in adult M. domestica. . It was concluded that the venom of scorpions contains peptides fractions that may be used as potential bio-pesticides. Article History Received: October 19, 2019 Revised: November 14, 2019 Accepted: December 03, 2019 Published: December 24, 2019 Authors’ Contributions NR and AH conducted the experiments. HMT and SA designed the study. HMT provided the research materials and lab facilities and approved the manuscript. MKM analysed the data. SA, SYK and MKM wrote the