In Vitro Biochemical Control of Taenia solium and Taenia saginata Eggs

Purpouse The present study evaluated in vitro the action of the plant protease papain (EC 3.4.22.2) on intact eggs of Taenia solium and Taenia saginata. Methods Two experimental groups were composed for each of the gastrointestinal helminths: control group (G1) and treated group (G2). In each replicate corresponding to the control group, 100 mu L of the suspension containing approximately 100 intact eggs (T. solium) or 50 eggs (T. saginata) and 100 mu L of distilled water were added, while for the treated group 100 mu L of the egg suspension and 100 mu L of the papain solution at a concentration of 15% (m/v) were added. The experiment was conducted in four replicates. The groups were incubated in BOD at 28 +/- 1 degrees C in the dark for a period of 24 h. Results The results demonstrated that there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of intact eggs, with average reduction percentages for T. saginata and T. solium of 74.36% and 64.29%, respectively. Conclusions This study is the first report on the in vitro control of helminth eggs (T. saginata and T. solium) using pure papain.