Chemical Composition of Cinnamomum verum Leaf and Flower Essential Oils and Analysis of Their Antibacterial, Insecticidal, and Larvicidal Properties.

Arunaksharan Narayanankutty,Varsha Ramesh,Krishnaprasad Kunnath,Rajakrishnan Rajagopal,Ahmed Alfarhan

doi:10.3390/molecules26206303

Arunaksharan Narayanankutty, Varsha Ramesh + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26206303

Copy DOI

Abstract

Cinnamomum verum is widely used in traditional medicines, and the different parts of the plant, such as bark, leaves, and flowers, are used for essential oil production. The present study compared the chemical composition of the essential oil of C. verum extracted from the leaves and flowers. In addition, efficacy of these essential oils against the two common pests Sitophilus oryzae and Callosobruchus maculatus was also evaluated. The results indicated the presence of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, caryophyllene, and linalool in these essential oils, however, at different concentrations. The leaf essential oil was found to be 10–20% more effective as a fumigant against both the pests. Likewise, the leaf essential oil found to repel these pests even at lower concentrations than that of flower essential oil of C. verum. Besides, these essential oils were also effective in controlling the growth of various gram positive and gram negative microbial pathogens and possibly a safeguard for human health. On contrary, both the essential oils were found to be safe for the application on grains, as indicated by their germination potentials. It was also observed that these essential oils do not cause any significant toxicity to guppy fishes, thus confirming their ecological safety for use as a biopesticide.

Highlights

Essential oils are important pharmacological and commercial agents that are widely utilized for various industrial purposes, cosmetic uses, and medicinal applications, including aromatherapy [1]
Both these organisms are predominated by different insects; control of the insect pests/vectors is essential for the sustainable development of a country in terms of agricultural development, food security, and improvements in the health care status of people
The present study indicated a higher potential of C. verum flower and leaf essential oils as potential insect repellents, especially against the pests of stored grains

Summary

Introduction

Essential oils are important pharmacological and commercial agents that are widely utilized for various industrial purposes, cosmetic uses, and medicinal applications, including aromatherapy [1]. Various essential oils are utilized as ecofriendly agents against varying classes of pests, vectors, and other insect agents [2]. Especially spices, are the primary sources of essential oil with plenty of biological activities. Essential oils of Cinnamomum plants are widely used as promising antibacterial agents. Reports have indicated that the essential oils of C. camphora [3] and C. cassia [4,5] reverse antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. Studies have indicated that the C. zeylanicum (synonym of C. verum) has found to be effective against multidrug resistant strains of clinical

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion