Comparative Analysis of the Red Eye Pigment in Drosophila Melanogaster(Fruit Fly) Using Chromatography and Photospectrometer

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Drosophila melanogaster is a species of fly in the family of Drosophilidae. The species is commonly known as the fruit fly. The scientific name Drosophila means "lover of dew", implying that this species requires a moist environment. It was among the first organisms used for genetic analysis and one of the most widely used. It has a short, simple reproduction cycle. in the eyes of Drosophila, there are two biochemical pathways which are responsible for producing the pigments for its eye color: the ommochrome pathway and the pteridine pathway. This research aims to assess the pigments that determine eye color in fruit flies through the use of paper chromatography and photo spectrometer.

METHODS

The recipe used in the culture is a mixture of 100g banana oatmeal, 3 mL mangosteen juice and 1 mL white wine vinegar. A sponge was left inside so that there's a place for the fly to burrow and pupate. The mixture was left open. When the fruit fly enters the container, it was covered with a stocking. It was left for two (2) weeks so that there will be a huge amount of sample that may be used for the experiment.ChromatographyThe fruit flies were etherized, captured and then placed in the petri dish using forceps. They were viewed under the stereomicroscope and beheaded using a razor. Then they were crushed in a chromatography paper and placed in a 100 mL beaker with two types of solvent.PhotospectrometerUsing micropipettes, 1 uL of methanol and the 1:1 ratio of ammonia and isopropyl mixture was transferred on six tubes and in two cuvettes which will serve as " ̃starter'. The starter was placed in the photo spectrometer machine. The target wavelength is from 300-600nm with 25nm interval.

RESULTS

The eye colors examined are all red colors, thus they contain the pteridine biochemical pathway which is responsible for the red eye color. Using the two solvents, the researcher determined the amount of the known chemical using photo spectrometer.

DISCUSSIONS

Pteridine is a product of purine metabolism. The eye pigment was separated using the paper chromatography method. There are two solvents used; methanol and 1:1 ratio of ammonia and isopropyl alcohol. Based on the data gathered the eye pigments of the Drosophila, they were more separated and more pronounced in methanol rather than in a 1:1 ratio of ammonia and isopropyl. Thus, using methanol to separate the eye pigments and determine the amount of chemical substance and spectrum absorbed proves to be more visible.