Measurement of Carbon Dioxide Production from Radiolabeled Substrates in Drosophila melanogaster

Incorporate trace amounts of specific radiolabeled substrates (e.g., glucose, fatty acids, amino acids) into standard Drosophila food medium. Ensure even distribution and appropriate radioactivity concentration for detection.

Place adult Drosophila melanogaster on the prepared radiolabeled food and allow consumption for a defined period. Monitor fly health and feeding behavior during substrate uptake.

Set up a closed-chamber system to capture exhaled radiolabeled CO2 from fed flies, including gas flow controls and scintillation vials or traps for radioactivity collection.

Measure radioactivity in collected CO2 using scintillation counting or similar detection methods. Calculate oxidation rates and substrate utilization from radioactive decay counts.