Extracellular nutrient digestion and absorption in the insect gut

Holtof, Michiel; Lenaerts, Cynthia; Cullen, Darron; Vanden Broeck, Jozef

Abstract

Insects are the most abundant and diverse class of animals on the planet. One explanation for their success is their extraordinary ability to successfully consume a wide range of foods. Like all heterotrophic organisms, insects need to acquire vital nutrients from their diet. The central organ for food digestion and absorption of nutrients is the gastrointestinal tract. This organ’s principal functions are mediating the efficient digestion of the diet and protecting the organism against harmful chemicals, microorganisms, and mechanical damage from the food. These functions are achieved through regional differentiation of the alimentary canal as well as highly flexible adaptations to the consumed diets, both at anatomical and molecular levels. Numerous studies describing the general gut morphology and associated digestive mechanisms of various insects exist. Nevertheless, the molecular patterns underlying digestion and nutrient uptake in insects are still poorly characterized. This review aims to provide an overview of the general strategies of extracellular macronutrient digestion and consequent nutrient absorption found among different orders of insects.

Citation

Holtof, M., Lenaerts, C., Cullen, D., & Vanden Broeck, J. (2019). Extracellular nutrient digestion and absorption in the insect gut. Cell and Tissue Research, 377(3), 397-414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-019-03031-9

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Apr 4, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Apr 29, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Sep 25, 2023
• Journal: Cell and Tissue Research
• Print ISSN: 0302-766X
• Electronic ISSN: 1432-0878
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 377
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 397-414
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-019-03031-9
• Keywords: Insect; Gastrointestinal tract; Digestive enzymes; Nutrient digestion; Nutrient absorption
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4399055