The Phytochemical Composition of Melia volkensii and Its Potential for Insect Pest Management.

Victor Jaoko,Stefaan P.O Werbrouck,Guy Smagghe,Jackson Mulatya,Jan Van Den Abeele,Sven Mangelinckx,Titus Magomere,Florence Olubayo,Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning,Simon Backx

doi:10.3390/plants9020143

Victor Jaoko, Stefaan P.O Werbrouck + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9020143

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Abstract

Due to potential health and environmental risks of synthetic pesticides, coupled with their non-selectivity and pest resistance, there has been increasing demand for safer and biodegradable alternatives for insect pest management. Botanical pesticides have emerged as a promising alternative due to their non-persistence, high selectivity, and low mammalian toxicity. Six Meliaceae plant species, Azadirachta indica, Azadirachta excelsa, Azadirachta siamens, Melia azedarach, Melia toosendan, and Melia volkensii, have been subject to botanical pesticide evaluation. This review focuses on Melia volkensii, which has not been intensively studied. M. volkensii, a dryland tree species native to East Africa, has shown activity towards a broad range of insect orders, including dipterans, lepidopterans and coleopterans. Its extracts have been reported to have growth inhibiting and antifeedant properties against Schistocerca gregaria, Trichoplusia ni, Pseudaletia unipuncta, Epilachna varivestis, Nezara viridula, several Spodoptera species and other insect pests. Mortality in mosquitoes has also been reported. Several limonoids with a wide range of biological activities have been isolated from the plant, including volkensin, salannin, toosendanin, trichilin-class limonoids, volkendousin, kulactone among others. This paper presents a concise review of published information on the phytochemical composition and potential of M. volkensii for application in insect pest management.

Highlights

The continuous and indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides in crop protection has led to an increase in pest resistance, health and environmental concerns [1]
Azadirachtin, a commercial biopesticide, and other limonoids isolated from A. indica, have been effective growth regulators and feeding deterrents for a wide range of insect species [16]
Effective insect antifeedants have been isolated from various parts of M. volkensii, (2) has been reported to cause feeding suppression against larvae of Earias insulana Boisduval as shown in Figure 2 and Table A2 (Appendix B), azadirachtin, the major ingredient in (Egyptian stemborer), weight reduction (59%–89%) in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee neem seeds, does not occur in M. volkensii. This indicates that insect control bioactivity is, and reduction in activities of acid phosphatases (ACP), alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and adenosine based on other compounds than azadirachtin [25]

Summary

Introduction

The continuous and indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides in crop protection has led to an increase in pest resistance, health and environmental concerns [1]. A phytopharmacological review of Melia azedarach Linnaeus (chinaberry) has been reported outlining its use in folk medicine having antifertility, antiviral, cytotoxic, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, repellent, antifeedant, antilithic and anthelmintic activity from various parts of the plant [8,9]. Several plant species of the Meliaceae have shown promising bioactivity against a variety of insects [3] Their insect growth regulatory and antifeedant properties against many insect pests have made them emerge as a potent source of insect control products [14]. Azadirachtin, a commercial biopesticide, and other limonoids isolated from A. indica, have been effective growth regulators and feeding deterrents for a wide range of insect species [16]. (d) fruits and (e) nuts [23]

Biological

Phytochemistry and Insect Bioactivity of Melia volkensii

Further Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activity of Melia volkensii

Findings

Conclusions