Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.wpzgmsc3s

Description of the data and file structure

This dataset contains the raw data used for statistical analyses in a study investigating the effects of supplementation with isolated soy protein and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on Bombyx mori. Measurements were taken during the 4th and 5th larval stages and after cocoon production. Parameters of food consumption rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food, larval weight, cocoon weight and silk rate were evaluated.

Experimental Design

• Species: Bombyx mori
• Larval stages evaluated: 4th and 5th instars
• Number of experimental groups: 6
• Biological replicates per group: 3 (batches)
• Larvae per replicate: 38
• Total larvae per group: 114
• Experimental design: Completely randomized design

Groups

• Control: filtered water
• AgNPs: silver nanoparticles (45 mg/L)
• S1: soy protein isolated (1 %)
• S2: soy protein isolated (2 %)
• S1Ag: soy protein isolated (1 %) + AgNPs (45 mg/L)
• S2Ag: soy protein isolated (2 %) + AgNPs (45 mg/L)

Files and variables

The dataset is organized into nine files:

File: FCR_4th_instar.csv

Food Consumption Rate (FCR):

This file contains batch-level measurements recorded during:

• 4 consecutive days in the 4th instar
• Variables included: Leaves offered (g); Residual leaf weight (g); Food consumption (g), calculated as offered minus residual.
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch1, batch2, batch3).

File: FRC_5th_instar.csv

This file contains batch-level measurements recorded during:

• 5 consecutive days in the 5th instar
• Variables included: Leaves offered (g); Residual leaf weight (g); Food consumption (g), calculated as offered minus residual.
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch1, batch2, batch3).

File: ECI_4th_instar.csv

Efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI): two files

This parameter was determined by the ratio between the insect's weight gain (g) and the weight of food ingested (g) during the experimental period. The calculation used was ECI (%) = (insect weight gain/food ingested) × 100

• The ECI was verified biological replicate (batch1, batch2, batch3) of each group
• (ECI_4th_instar): Considering a period of 4 days
• Insect weight gain (g)
• Food ingested (g)
• All values are expressed in percentage (%).
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch).

File: ECI_5h_instar.csv

This parameter was determined by the ratio between the insect's weight gain (g) and the weight of food ingested (g) during the experimental period. The calculation used was ECI (%) = (insect weight gain/food ingested) × 100

• The ECI was verified biological replicate (batch1, batch2, batch3) of each group
• (ECI_5th_instar): Considering a period of 5 days
• Insect weight gain (g)
• Food ingested (g)
• All values are expressed in percentage (%).
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch).

File: Larva_weight_first.csv

• 60 larvae per group were randomly selected
• 20 larvae per biological replicate (batch 1, batch 2, batch 3)
• Measurements were recorded individually
• Day 1 of the 4th instar (Larval_weight_first)
• All values are expressed in grams (g).
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch).

File: Larva_weight_second.csv

• 60 larvae per group were randomly selected
• 20 larvae per biological replicate (batch 1, batch 2, batch 3)
• Measurements were recorded individually
• Day 5 of the 4th instar (Larval_weight_second)
• All values are expressed in grams (g).
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch).

File: Larval_weight_third.csv

• 60 larvae per group were randomly selected
• 20 larvae per biological replicate (batch 1, batch 2, batch 3)
• Measurements were recorded individually
• Day 6 of the 5th instar (Larval_weight_third)
• All values are expressed in grams (g).
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch).

File: Cocoon_weight.csv

Cocoon Weight: one file

Seven days after cocooning:

• 60 cocoons per group were randomly selected
• 20 cocoons per biological replicate (batch 1, batch 2, batch 3)

Two parameters were obtained:

• Total cocoon weight (TCW)
• Shell weight (SW), defined as cocoon weight without the chrysalis
• All values are expressed in grams (g).
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch).

File: Silk_rate.csv

For silk rate analysis:

• 60 cocoons per group were randomly selected
• 20 cocoons per biological replicate (batch 1, batch 2, batch 3)
• The calculation used to determine the silk conversion rate is: (shell weight/total cocoon weight) ×100
• All values are expressed in percentage (%).
• Data are organized by treatment group and biological replicate (batch).

Code/software

Statistical Analysis:

The raw data were initially evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The model assumptions were examined using residual diagnostics, including the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and Bartlett's test for homogeneity of variances. When deviations from parametric assumptions were detected, data were subjected to Box–Cox transformation. If assumptions remained unmet after transformation, a non-parametric approach was adopted using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Treatment comparisons were conducted using the Tukey (parametric model) or Kruskal-Wallis (nonparametric model). For the ECI analysis, considering the assumptions of the linear model, the Scott-Knott mean grouping test was Applied. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. For these analyses, the R program was used, with the agricolae, ExpDes, MASS and vegan packages.

Units of Measurement:

• Mass measurements: grams (g)
• Silver nanoparticle concentration: mg/L
• Isolated soy protein concentration: percentage (%)