Abstract
The overuse of synthetic pesticides in plant protection strategies has resulted in numerous side effects, including environmental contamination, food staff residues, and a threat to non-target organisms. Several studies have been performed to assess the pesticidal effects of plant-derived essential oils and their components, as partially safe and effective agents, on economically important pests. The essential oils isolated from Satureja species are being used in medicinal, cosmetic, and food industries. Their great potential in pest management is promising, which is related to high amounts of terpenes presented in this genus. This review is focused on the acute and chronic acaricidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal effects of Satureja essential oil and their main components. The effects of eighteen Satureja species are documented, considering lethality, repellency, developmental inhibitory, and adverse effects on the feeding, life cycle, oviposition, and egg hatching. Further, the biochemical impairment, including impairments in esterases, acetylcholinesterase, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases functions, are also considered. Finally, encapsulation and emulsification methods, based on controlled-release techniques, are suggested to overcome the low persistence and water solubility restrictions of these biopesticides. The present review offers Satureja essential oils and their major components as valuable alternatives to synthetic pesticides in the future of pest management.
Highlights
Synthetic chemicals have been considered as the pest management strategy so far, their overuse has led to several side effects
High susceptibility of the Asian malaria mosquito (A. stephensi) and the filariasis vector mosquito (C. quinquefasciatus) to the essential oil of S. bachtiarica was reported, in which 100% larval mortality of both insects was attained by the concentration of 160 ppm after 24 h exposure time [30]
The identified compounds in the essential oils of Satureja species are categorized in the monoterpene hydrocarbon, monoterpenoid, sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, sesquiterpenoid, and phenylpropanoid groups
Summary
Synthetic chemicals have been considered as the pest management strategy so far, their overuse has led to several side effects. The genus Satureja belongs to the Lamiaceae family, Nepetoidae subfamily, and the Mentheae tribe, that includes about 200 species of aromatic herbs and shrubs. They are broadly distributed in America, the Mediterranean area, Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia [16]. Several species from this genus, conventionally known as savory, especially summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.), are cultivated in various countries [17] These aromatic plants possess a high content of essential oil (even about 4%) located in their leaves, stems, and flowers [18]. The search considers the sub-lethal and biochemical changes after application of these compounds in order to obtain a thorough insight into their mode of action
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