Abstract

Chemical composition and herbicidal, antifungal, antibacterial and molluscicidal activities of essential oils from Choukzerk, Eryngium triquetrum, and Alexander, Smyrnium olusatrum, from western Algeria were characterized. Capillary GC-FID and GC/MS were used to investigate chemical composition of both essential oils, and the antifungal, antibacterial, molluscicidal and herbicidal activities were determined by % inhibition. Collective essential oil of E. triquetrum was dominated by falcarinol (74.8%) and octane (5.6%). The collective essential oil of S. olusatrum was dominated by furanoeremophilone (31.5%), furanodiene+curzurene (19.3%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (11%). The E. triquetrum oil was tested and a pure falcarinol (99%) showed virtuous herbicidal and antibacterial activities against potato blackleg disease, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, and Gram-negative soil bacterium, Pseudomonas cichorii (85 and 100% inhibition, respectively), and high ecotoxic activity against brine shrimp, Artemia salina, and the freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, with an IC50 of 0.35 µg/mL and 0.61 µg/mL, respectively. Essential oil of S. olusatrum showed interesting antibacterial and ecotoxic activity and good herbicidal activity against watercress seeds, Lepidium sativum (74% inhibition of photosynthesis, 80% mortality on growth test on model watercress), while the furanoeremophilone isolated from the oil (99% pure) showed moderate herbicidal activity. Both oils showed excellent antifungal activity against Fusarium. Both oils and especially falcarinol demonstrated good potential as new biocontrol agents in organic crop protection.

Highlights

  • IntroductionIt is widely recognized that herbicides may pose a significant risk to human health and to the environment

  • This study showed that the essential oil of E. triquetrum had strong herbicidal, ecotoxic and antibacterial activity, and that this high activity was due to the presence of falcarinol, which is a compound associated with various biological activities

  • The present study describes the chemical composition and herbicidal, antifungal, antibacterial and molluscicidal activities of two Algerian essential oils, E. triquetrum oil, which is dominated by falcarinol and S. olusatrum oil, which is rich in furanosesquiterpenes

Read more

Summary

Introduction

It is widely recognized that herbicides may pose a significant risk to human health and to the environment. This risk has led to an increased interest in alternative strategies which have led to the development of biodegradable compounds [1,2]. Aromatic plants are increasingly used for pest control in bioagriculture. The essential oils and volatile constituents extracted from these plants are widely used as new replacement agents for biological control against microbial strains and pests, due to their specificity of action, their biodegradable nature and their commercial applications [3,4,5]

Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.