Evaluation of larvicidal activity of the essential oil of Allium macrostemon Bunge and its selected major constituent compounds against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Xin Liu,Zhi Liu,Ligang Zhou,Qiyong Liu

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-7-184

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs and local wild plants, the essential oil of dried bulbs of Allium macrostemon Bunge (Liliaceae) was found to possess larvicidal activity against mosquitoes. The aim of this research was to determine the larvicidal activity of the essential oil and its major constituent compounds against the larvae of the Culicidae mosquito, Aedes albopictus.MethodsEssential oil of A. macrostemon was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromaotography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The activity of the essential oil and its two major constituents were evaluated, using World Health Organization (WHO) procedures, against the fourth instar larvae of Ae. albopictus for 24 h and larval mortalities were recorded at various essential oil/compound concentrations ranging from 9.0 - 150 μg/ml.ResultsThe essential oil of A. macrostemon exhibited larvicidal activity against the early fourth instar larvae of Ae. albopictus with an LC50 value of 72.86 μg/ml. The two constituent compounds, dimethyl trisulfide and methyl propyl disulfide possessed strong larvicidal activity against the early fourth instar larvae of Ae. albopictus with LC50 values of 36.36 μg/ml and 86.16 μg/ml, respectively.ConclusionThe results indicated that the essential oil of A. macrostemon and its major constituents have good potential as a source for natural larvicides.

Highlights

During the screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs and local wild plants, the essential oil of dried bulbs of Allium macrostemon Bunge (Liliaceae) was found to possess larvicidal activity against mosquitoes
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) Profiles of volatile constituents were determined using an Agilent 5973 gas chromatography (GC)-MS system operating in the EI mode at 70 eV [equipped with a 30 m HP-5MS column (0.25 mm × 30 m × 0.25 μm) and coated with 5% phenylmethylpolysiloxane using a HP-5MS (Agilent J&W Scientific, USA)]
Essential oil chemical composition The yield of yellow essential oil of A. macrostemon was 0.56% (v/w based on dry weight) while its density was 0.92 g/ml

Summary

Introduction

During the screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs and local wild plants, the essential oil of dried bulbs of Allium macrostemon Bunge (Liliaceae) was found to possess larvicidal activity against mosquitoes. Females of many species of mosquitoes consume blood from living vertebrates, including humans. They are an important public health concern around the world. Mosquitoes cause allergic responses on and high cost of procurement [5] These problems have warranted the need for developing alternative strategies using ecofriendly products. During our mass screening program for new agrochemicals from wild plants and Chinese medicinal herbs, essential oil of dried bulbs of Allium macrostemon Bunge (Family: Liliaceae) was found to possess larvicidal activity against the Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus

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