Evaluation of Phytochemical Compounds in Senna siamea stembark Powders for Insect Pest Control

Abstract

A laboratory screening was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical compounds in Senna siamea stembark powders and their insecticidal activity on Callosobruchus subinnotatus PIC on stored Bambara groundnut through untargeted Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC- MS) using three different extraction solvents (ethanol, methanol and distilled water). To mention but few, the ethanol extracts revealed Octanoic acid, 4,6-dimethyl-, methyl ester, (4S,6S)-(+)- (C11H22O2); cis-Vaccenic acid (C19H36O2); Z,Z-10,12-Hexadecadien-1-ol acetate (C18H32O2); 2-Methyl-Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienol (C19H36O). Methanol extracts showed Oleic Acid (C18H34O2); Cyclononasiloxane, octadecamethyl- (C18H54O9Si9); Cyclodecasiloxane, eicosamethyl- (C20H60O10Si10); 2-Methyl-Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienol (C19H36O). Distilled water extraction revealed cis-Vaccenic acid (C19H36O2); 1,2-Benzisothiazole,3-(hexahydro- 1H-azepin-1-yl)-, 1,1-dioxide (C13H16N2O2S); Oleic Acid (C18H34O2); 11-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (C19H36O2)as compounds with the highest percentage area. Phytochemicals have been used for many years to control insect pest damage in agricultural crops. Pyretre, Nicotine, Rotenone and tobacco have long been used as control agents against insects in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike synthetic chemical insecticides that kill both pests and non-target organisms, botanicals pesticides are relatively target specific. They are also biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and can also be used in insecticide resistance management programs. Hence, could serve as good alternatives to chemical insecticides. Further research on the bio insecticidal activity of these compounds is highly advocated.