Combination Of Essential Oils Research Articles

Memory-enhancing, Antioxidant, and Anticholinesterase Effects of Inhaled Achillea pseudoaleppica Essential Oil on Scopolamine-induced Amnesic Rats

Achillea species are used for therapeutic purposes in many countries. This study demonstrated the memory-enhancing, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase effects of Achillea pseudoaleppica essential oil in scopolamine-induced amnesia. The GC/FID-GC/MS system revealed camphor as the major compound in the oil. The application of the essential oil (1% and 3%) was performed on the rats by inhalation for 21 consecutive days before the performance of the behavioral tests (Y-maze and radial-arm maze tests). The essential oil application increased the spontaneous alternation behavior in scopolamine-induced rats in the Y-maze task. Furthermore, essential oil administration decreased working memory errors and reference memory errors in scopolamine-treated rats in the radial-arm maze test. Therefore, Achillea pseudoaleppica essential oil inhalation improved memory in scopolamine-treated rats. In addition, acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant profiles of the hippocampal tissues of the rats were examined. Essential oil administration decreased acetylcholinesterase and superoxide dismutase specific activities and malondialdehyde levels while increasing the total content of reduced glutathione in the rat hippocampus in scopolamine-treated rats. Therefore, in this study, the combination of scopolamine and Achillea pseudoaleppica essential oil improved memory formation and increased the activities of antioxidants and anticholinesterase.

Investigation of the High-order Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, and Thymus satureioides Essential Oils with Antibiotics on the Membrane Integrity of Salmonella typhi

The development of pathogenic Salmonella typhi strains resistant to several classes of antibiotics has become a worldwide main health care concern. Combinations of plant essential oils and drugs provide a promising approach to overcome drug resistance. This study investigates the potential antibacterial activity of EOs extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, and Thymus satureioides, individually and in combination with conventional antibiotics against S. typhi. The screening of 27 antibiotics was performed by the disc diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of the selected antibiotics and EOs were determined by the broth microdilution method. At the same time, the interactions between EO and drugs were assessed by determining the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) using the diagonal measurement of n-way drug interactions method. The mechanism of antibacterial effect against S. typhi was evaluated by measuring the product of lipid peroxidation (MDA), potassium leakage from the bacteria cells, and scanning electron microscopy. Antibacterial screening indicated that nine antibiotics induced strong antibacterial activity against S. typhi with MIC values ranging from 2 to 85 µg/mL. Moreover, the EOs revealed an interesting effect against S. typhi, with MIC values ranging between 0.068 and 1.25 mg/mL. The combination of R. officinalis, T. satureioides EOs, and piperacillin/tazobactam provided a strong and reproducible synergistic effect against S. typhi. This combination seemed to amplify the antibacterial activity of EOs and antibiotics against S. typhi by increasing their potency in disrupting bacterial cell membrane integrity. These findings suggest that this combination could be a promising option for controlling the emergence of multidrug-resistant S. typhi.

Study of gold ore processing by flotation methods

The article deals with the studies of gold-bearing ore benefication by flotation methods. The object of the study is a low-sulfide gold-quartz type of ores with the following petrographic composition: quartz – 90 %, quartz-chlorite schists – 10 %. The ore from this deposit consists of the weathering crust rocks including iron-mica rocks with veins and spots of granoblastic quartz. The purpose of the research is to develop an optimal flotation regime for obtaining sulfide gold-bearing concentrate. The influence of ore size, reagent mode, flotation redistribution structure, and flotation time on operations was recorded during the experiment. The paper presents the results of studying the chemical composition of the ore by the method of silicate and optical emission analysis. The flotation process used butyl potassium xanthate as a collector and a combination of pine essential oils as a foaming agent. The Hancock concentration efficiency criterion was determined based on a series of experiments. The following technological indicators of ore processing were identified: gravity concentrate with the gold grade of 1165 g/t with the yield of 0.3 % and the recovery of 73.74 %; flotation concentrate (after purification II) with the gold grade of 68.9 g/t with the yield of 1.52 % and a recovery of 22.05 %. Its silver content was 15.9 g/t. The total gold recovery was 95.79 %, with the yield of 1.82 % and the gold grade of 249.9 g/t. The gold grade in the flotation tailings was 0.19 g/t.

Antitumor Effect of Glandora rosmarinifolia (Boraginaceae) Essential Oil through Inhibition of the Activity of the Topo II Enzyme in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

It was previously shown that the antitumor and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts of Glandora rosmarinifolia appears to involve a pro-oxidant mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. Its most abundant compound is a hydroxy-methyl-naphthoquinone isomer. Important pharmacological activities, such as antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiparasitic activities, are attributed to naphthoquinones, probably due to their pro-oxidant or electrophilic potential; for some naphthoquinones, a mechanism of action of topoisomerase inhibition has been reported, in which they appear to act both as catalytic inhibitors and as topoisomerase II poisons. Our aim was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the essential oil on an acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60 and on its multidrug-resistant (MDR) variant HL-60R and verify its ability to interfere with topoisomerase II activity. MTS assay showed that G. rosmarinifolia EO induced a decrease in tumor cell viability equivalent in the two cell lines; this antitumor effect could depend on the pro-oxidant activity of EO in both cell lines. Furthermore, G. rosmarinifolia EO reduced the activity of Topo II in the nuclear extracts of HL-60 and HL-60R cells, as inferred from the inability to convert the kinetoplast DNA into the decatenated form and then not inducing linear kDNA. Confirming this result, flow cytometric analysis proved that EO induced a G0-G1 phase arrest, with cell reduction in the S-phase. In addition, the combination of EO with etoposide showed a good potentiation effect in terms of cytotoxicity in both cell lines. Our results highlight the antitumor activity of EO in the HL-60 cell line and its MDR variant with a peculiar mechanism as a Topo II modulator. Unlike etoposide, EO does not cause stabilization of a covalent Topo II-DNA intermediate but acts as a catalytic inhibitor. These data make G. rosmarinifolia EO a potential anticancer drug candidate due to its cytotoxic action, which is not affected by multidrug resistance.

Research on the Bioactivity of Plant Essential Oils on Armyworm [Mythimna separata (Walker)] Larvae.

In order to find out the biological activity of plant essential oils on armyworm [Mythimna separata (Walker, 1865)] larvae and provide a theoretical basis for the biological control of armyworms, in this study, the antifeedant activity, repellent activity, fumigation activity, contact activity, and synergistic effect on indoxacarb of nine kinds of plant essential oils on armyworm larvae were determined. The results showed that lavender and citronella essential oils had the greatest impact on the antifeedant activity on armyworm larvae, and the antifeedant rate reached 100.00%. Meanwhile, rosemary essential oil revealed the best repellent activity on armyworm larvae with an average dwell time of 0 s at the content of 0.2%. Moreover, tea tree essential oil and lemon essential oil at the content of 2.0% had the best fumigation and contact activity against armyworm larvae, and the corrected mortality rates at 120 h were 86.67 and 66.67%, respectively. In addition, the combination of citronella essential oil and indoxacarb with the ratio of 5:1 had the best synergistic effect on armyworm larvae at 96 h, and the synergistic ratio was reached 100.00%. These findings will guide the development of new insecticides for controlling armyworm larvae.

Synergistic Effect of Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Lemon (Citrus limon) Blended Essential Oils Optimized by Mixture Design for Improving the Antioxidant Activity

Background: Combining various essential oils (EOs) for developing pharmaceutical formulations has been the focus of attention in recent years. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the antioxidant effect of the combination of three Eos obtained from clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), lemon peel (Citrus limon L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) by using mixture design. Methods: The EOs of lemon peel (EOL), clove (EOC), and thyme (EOT) as well as their combination were analyzed using a gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The antioxidant activities of the EOs from EOL, EOC, and EOT as well as their combination were measured adopting DPPH assay. The construction and statistical analysis of the experiment were designed using the NemrodW (LPRAI, version 2000) software. Results: EOL, EOC, and EOT were found capable of neutralizing DPPH radical. EOC was distinguished by its strongest antiradical activity with IC50=15.02±0.02 µg/mL. EOT had an IC50=29.20±0.12 µg/mL while EOL had 188.69±0.95 µg/mL. The positive standard BHT was detected to be IC50=24±0.02 µg/ mL. The optimal, combinative mixture of essential oils may have been determined based on these isoresponse curves which allowed fixing the ideal combinations of ingredient in terms of quantity to obtain an EO mixture possessing appreciable and optimal antioxidant characteristics. The predicted antioxidant properties determined by the mixing plan model were retained and the experiments were carried out respecting the contents of proposed ingredients of 25.7% EOT, 32.3% EOL, and 41.9% EOC equivalent to 15.42 mg, 19.38 mg and 25.14 mg, respectively. This resulted in arriving at an essential oil mixture with an experimental IC50=11.023±0.145 µg/mL which was similar to those of the predicted antioxidant properties with an order of 10.907±0.212 µg/mL and a non-significant difference of P<0.05, based on which the validity of the proposed mixing plan model was determined. The combined EO was also found to be rich in eugenol (32.35±1.13%), thymol (25.49±0.03%), and limonene (21.30±0.02%). Conclusion: Statistical planning and the development of utility profiles for mixtures of essential oils may have been used to predict the optimal composition as well as to determine their antioxidant profile.

Prospecting of essential oils in combination with florfenicol against motile Aeromonas isolated from tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

Natural products with antimicrobial activity and their association with synthetic antimicrobials are a sustainable option in fish farming. The objective of this study was to determine antimicrobial activity, antibiofilm potential and synergism of five essential oils (EOs) with florfenicol against motile Aeromonas isolated from Amazonian Colossoma macropomum. As their major constituent, the EOs of the species of Aloysia triphylla, Croton cajucara (red and white morphotype), Cymbopongo citratus and Lippia gracilis present β-pinene (22.1%), germacrene D (11.5%), linalool (23%), geranial (45.7%) and carvacrol (42.2%), respectively. The EOs of L. gracilis and C. citratus showed the best antimicrobial activities against the Aeromonas strains (5mgmL-1). All EOs interfered with biofilm formation and consolidated biofilm. The EOs of A. triphylla, C. citratus and L. gracilis showed a synergistic effect with florfenicol, reducing the amount of the chemical into the water systems while treatment.

Recent Advances in the Application of Essential Oils as Potential Therapeutic Candidates for Candida-Related Infections

Candidiasis (oral, vulvovaginal, or systemic bloodstream infections) are important human fungal infections associated with a high global prevalence in otherwise healthy adults but are also opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. With the recent discovery of the multidrug resistant—and often difficult to treat—Candida auris, as well as the rising costs associated with hospitalisations and the treatment of infections caused by Candida species, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutics against these pathogenic yeasts. Essential oils have been documented for many years as treatments for different ailments and are widely known and utilised in alternative and complementary therapies, including treating microbial infections. This review highlights knowledge from research on the effects of medicinal plants, and in particular, essential oils, as potential treatments against different Candida species. Studies have been evaluated that describe the experimental approaches used in investigating the anticandidal effects of essential oils (in vivo and in vitro), the established mode of action of the different compounds against different Candida species, the effect of a combination of essential oils with other compounds as potential therapies, and the evidence from clinical trial studies.

Antibacterial activity and mechanism of essential oils in combination with medium-chain fatty acids against predominant bovine mastitis pathogens.

Bovine mastitis has become a significant economic importance for the dairy industry. Concerns regarding poor milk quality and emergence of bacterial resistance have necessitated to develop an alternative therapeutic approach to antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis. Saturated medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and essential oils (EOs) are known natural antimicrobials, but their combined effect has not been investigated extensively. The objective of the present investigation was to examine the bactericidal effect of various combined treatments of eight EOs and three saturated MCFAs to inactivate predominant mastitis pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 27736 and Streptococcus agalactiae ATCC 27956. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values confirmed that all the tested pathogens were variably susceptible to both EOs and saturated MCFAs. Among essential oils, carvacrol (CAR), trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) and thymol (TM) showed the highest inhibitory activity at concentration 0·38-1·32 mg/mL. Carvacrol exhibited effective additive antibacterial activity in combined treatment with octanoic acid (OA) in terms of its fractional inhibitory index (0·63-0·88) and time-kill effect in reducing about 6 log CFU/mL bacterial cells in less than 5 min. The effort was also made to elucidate the mechanism of antibacterial action of CAR and OA against selected mastitis pathogens by observing changes in cell microstructure, permeability and integrity of cell membrane and their membrane potential. After adding CAR and OA at MIC level, there were obvious changes in cell morphology, leakage of small electrolytes and macromolecules at the initial few hours of treatment i.e. within 1-2 h were observed. Our results indicated that CAR and OA could be evaluated as alternatives or adjuncts to antibiotics as intramammary infusion or topical application to treat bovine mastitis, significantly improving the microbiological safety of milk.

Effect of essential oils and major compound on Clostridium botulinum endospores inoculated in meat product

Mortadella is a widely consumed product due to its sensory characteristics, however, nitrite is used as a preservative and this synthetic additive has been linked to some diseases. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of oregano and clove essential oils, besides the major compound carvacrol on Clostridium botulinum endospores inoculated in mortadella and the physicochemical effect of them on the product. The minimum sporicidal concentration of the essential oils and the major compound was determined by the broth microdilution method and the best results used to prepare the mortadellas containing 0 and 150 ppm of nitrite. All the evaluated treatments showed decrease of nitrite levels over time and lower lipid oxidation. The combinations of essential oils and carvacrol did not affect the mortadella color in the final product. In the mortadellas added of combinations of essential oils and of major compound there was reduction in the population of C. botulinum, whereas in mortadella without essential oils the antimicrobial effect was attributed only to the nitrite. The results are promising and suggest the use of clove and oregano essential oils together with carvacrol compound in meat sausages as a natural preservative and action against foodborne pathogens.

P6. The combination of benzoic acid and essential oils enhances growth performance of grower-finisher pigs under challenge conditions

P6. The combination of benzoic acid and essential oils enhances growth performance of grower-finisher pigs under challenge conditions

Evaluation of antibiotic combination of Litsea cubeba essential oil on Vibrio parahaemolyticus inhibition mechanism and anti-biofilm ability

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) is a common pathogen in seafood. The use of antibiotics is a primary tool to prevent and control V. parahaemolyticus in the aquaculture industry. However, V. parahaemolyticus combats the damage caused by antibiotics by forming biofilms under certain conditions. In this study, we analyzed the antibacterial effect and the characteristics of V. parahaemolyticus by experimentally determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values of a combination of the Litsea cubeba essential oil (LCEO) and several commonly used V. parahaemolyticus antibiotics. The bactericidal effect of the essential oil alone and essential oil in combination with the antibiotics were evaluated with time-kill curves. The damage to cell membranes and cell walls were assessed by measuring the content of macromolecules and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) released into the supernatant using V. parahaemolyticus ATCC17802 as the experimental strain. The membrane structure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the MIC value of the LCEO was 1,024 μg/mL, and the LCEO FICI values in combination with tetracycline or oxytetracycline hydrochloride was 0.3125 and 0.75, respectively, indicating synergistic and additive effects. Moreover, LCEO inhibited the growth and promoted the removal of biofilms by reducing the content of hydrophobic and extracellular polysaccharides on the cell surface. This study provides a reference for studying the antibacterial activity of LCEO and the combination of antibiotics to prevent and control the formation of biofilms by V. parahaemolyticus.

Antimicrobial Effects of Combinations between Essential Oils, Antibiotics, and Major Components of Essential Oils

Combinations between antibiotics and other antimicrobial substances such as plant essential oils represent one of the most promising advances against drug-resistant microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of different combinations of two essential oils (EO) with its major components and antibiotics (cephalosporines) against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida albicans using the microdilution method. Two plants widely growing in north Algeria, Thymus algeriensis and Salvia officinalis, were investigated. GC/MS was carried out to analyze the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from these plants through the hydrodistillation method. Extraction yields were evaluated at 2.3% for Thymus algeriensis and 3.18% for Salvia officinalis. GC/MS analysis revealed the existence of 29 and 18 essential oil components for Thymus algeriensis and Salvia officinalis, respectively. The major components were thymol (45.067%) and carvacrol (12.24%) for Thymus algeriensis, camphor (18.72%), 1,8-cineol (11.75%) and viridiflorol (10.57%) for Salvia officinalis. Synergistic interaction was observed with cefazoline-Thymus algeriensis essential oil, eucalyptol-Salvia officinalis essential oil and thymol-eucalyptol combinations tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida albicans. Additional effect was noted with cefotaxime-alpha pinene and Thymus algeriensis essential oil-eucalyptol combinations tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. However, no significant action was observed among the following combinations: cefotaxime-thymol, eucalyptol-alpha pinene, and thymol-Thymus algeriensis essential oil tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida albicans.

Impact of Supplementing Essential Oils on Reduction of Enteric Methane Emission in Indigenous Dairy Cattle

Background: Globally enteric methane emission is the largest contributor of anthropogenic global warming and methane is the second largest driver of global radiative forcing after carbon dioxide. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing essential oils (EOs) in combination of garlic oil and peppermint oil on enteric methane emission in indigenous dairy cattle. Methods: Eight indigenous dairy cattle were divided into two groups supplemented with essential oils in combination of garlic oil and peppermint oil (2.4 mL/animal) as treatment group and without supplementation with paddy straw and concentrate feed (60:40) based diet. A digestibility trial was conducted during the last six days of 30 days feeding trial to evaluate the effect of essential oils in combination on nutrients digestibility. The total methane emission was estimated by sulfur hexa fluoride tracer gas technique (SF6). Result: No significant difference in DMI, TDN and DCP intake could be noted with supplementation of essential oils in indigenous dairy cattle. However, cows fed with combination of garlic oil (GO) and peppermint oil (PO) significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the methane emission by 10.60% in comparison to control group. Hence, the feasibility of feeding essential oils can be considered at farm level as a methane mitigation strategy.

Combinations of plant essential oils and their major compositions inducing mortality and morphological abnormality of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

Extensive uses of synthetic insecticides to control mosquito's populations have induced the insects to develop resistance against them, rendering them ineffective today. Moreover, they cause serious impacts on human health and the ecosystem. Therefore, safe and effective natural alternatives are needed. This study evaluated the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of essential oils (EOs) from Illicium verum and Zanthoxylum limonella and the major constituents against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes as well as recorded their morphological aberrations at death. The GC-MS analysis showed that trans-anethole was the major constituent of I. verum EO, and limonene was the major constituent of Z. limonella EO. Both were more effective against the larvae and pupae of Ae. aegypti than those of Ae. albopictus. A 2.5% I. verum EO + 2.5% trans-anethole combination showed the highest larvicidal and pupicidal effects against Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus with an LT50 ranging from 0.2-6.9 h. Between the two tested constituents, trans-anethole exhibited stronger larvicidal and pupicidal activities (LC50 ranging 2.4–3.4%) against the two tested mosquito species than d-limonene (LC50 ranging 2.5–3.7%). Most importantly, 5% trans-anethole, 5% d-limonene, and 2.5% I. verum EO + 2.5% trans-anethole were more effective (LT50 ranging 0.1–0.3 h) than 1% (w/w) temephos (LT50 ranging 2.9–3.1 h). Morphological aberrations at death observed were such as color pigment and thorax shape abnormalities. To conclude, trans-anethole, d-limonene, and a combination of I. verum EO + trans-anethole, are natural compounds that not only are as effective as temephos at the time of this study, but should be also be much safer to human health.

Essential oils and their binary combinations have synergistic and antagonistic insecticidal properties against Anopheles gambiae s. l. (Diptera: Culicidae)

Botanical biopesticides have potential for use in mosquito control because they exhibit low mammalian toxicity, are readily biodegraded, show target specificity and insecticidal activity. As populations of mosquito species grow more resistant to currently used organic insecticides, a need for new and effective insecticides for vector control becomes more urgent. This study reports the effects of synergistic and antagonistic essential oils (EOs) from Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Lantana camara, Lippia chevalieri and Lippia multiflora and their binary combinations against Anopheles gambiae s. l. larvae and adults. EOs insecticidal properties were tested with third to fourth-instar larvae and, non-blood-fed 3–5-day old field-collected An. gambiae using WHO and CDC bottle bioassays, respectively. Many compounds were found in the EOs mixtures. All EOs showed larvicidal and adulticidal activities with mortality from 0 to 100% against An. gambiae which were concentration dependent and EOs specific. EO mixture from C. schoenanthus and L. multiflora showed synergistic effect with LC50 of 38 ppm and EOs from L. chevalieri and C. schoenanthus showed antagonistic effect against larvae with LC50 of 100.84 ppm. On the other hand, EOs combinations showed additive effect on all adults. This study describes the potential of using EOs and their synergistic mixtures as potential insecticide(s) as a safer alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Synergistic Effect of Some Essential Oil Extracted from Three Nigeria Spices against Some Pathogenic Organisms

Introduction: Essential oils of plants and their other products from secondary metabolism have had a great usage in folk medicine, food flavoring, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries.
 Aims: This study sought to evaluate the phytochemical properties of the oil extracted from the medicinal plants such as; clove, turmeric and black pepper, as well as to determine the antimicrobial effect of essential oil of clove against selected pathogens.
 Methodology: Qualitative phytochemical screening of the oil extracted from the plant samples (clove, turmeric and black pepper) was determined using standard method, oil was extracted from the medicinal plant samples, and antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed with the oil extracts in various concentrations against the test organisms.
 Results: The qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, and saponins in clove, turmeric and black pepper oil samples; however, tannins, glycosides, and flavonoids are present in clove oil, and saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids were abundantly present in turmeric oil sample. The synergistic antimicrobial susceptibility assay of clove with turmeric and black pepper oil is more pronounced against the test bacterial with the highest zone of inhibition of 46.00 mm against Escherichia coli. The combination of essential oil of clove and black pepper oil inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Streptococcus spp., except Pseudomonas aeruginosa which shows antagonistic effect.
 Conclusion: Spices such as clove, turmeric and black pepper have exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against intestinal bacteria like S. aureus, Klebsiella spp., E. coli, C. albicans, P. aeruginosa and Streptococcus spp. Therefore, these spices could be used to decrease the possibility of food poisoning, to increase the food safety and shelf-life of products, and to treat some infectious diseases.

The Effectiveness of Some Essential Oils as Botanical Fungicides Against Inhibition of the Growth Cocoa Fruit Rot Phytopthora Palmivora

The main disease in cocoa pods is fruit rot caused by the fungi Phytophthora palmivora. The loss caused by P. palmivora is almost 90%. Currently, the control is still using synthetic fungicides which are harmful to humans and the environment. Therefore, the use of essential oils as fungicides is a safe control for the environment. This study aims to obtain a combination of nutmeg, cloves, and citronella that are effective as a botanical fungicide to control cocoa pod rot disease. The study was conducted at the Lampung State Polytechnic Plant Laboratory using a completely randomized design with 8 treatments which were repeated 5 times. The treatments tested were (1) negative control (water), (2) positive control (synthetic fungicide), (3) nutmeg oil, (4) clove oil, (5) citronella oil, (6) nutmeg + clove oil, (7) nutmeg oil + citronella, and (8) Clove and citronella oil. Essential oil testing on the growth of P. palmivora was carried out in vitro by inoculating agar pieces containing fungal culture on the surface of PDA containing essential oils. The results showed that all essential oil combination treatments were able to suppress the growth of the P. palmivora on PDA media. The combination of nutmeg oil and clove oil can suppress fungal growth by 77%, while the combination of nutmeg oil and citronella oil reaches 56.5% and the combination of clove oil and citronella oil reaches 27%. However, the single treatment that best suppressed the growth of P. palmivora was citronella oil, which was 32.8%.

Repellent and acaricidal activities of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oils and rock dust against Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis ticks.

Repellent and acaricidal activity of essential oils extracted from three varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were evaluated on blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say) and American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis Say) in laboratory conditions. Essential oils were extracted and characterized through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and tested at different concentrations for long-term repellent activity using horizontal bioassays. In addition, basil essential oils were combined with an inert material (i.e., granite rock dust) with known insecticidal and miticidal properties to assess acaricidal activities against adult ticks. Among the tested basil varieties, var. Jolina essential oil at 15% vol/vol concentration repelled 96% of tested ticks up to 2h post-treatment. The EC50 for I. scapularis nymphs was 4.65% vol/vol (95% confidence interval: 4.73-4.57). In acaricidal tests, the combination of essential oil from var. Aroma 2 at 10% wt/wt with rock dust resulted in 100% tick mortality after only 24h post-exposure, with a LD50 of 3.48% wt/wt (95% CI 4.05-2.91) for freshly prepared treatment tested on I. scapularis adults. The most common compounds detected in basil essential oils by GC-MS were linalool (52.2% in var. Nu Far, 48.2% in Aroma 2, 43.9% in Jolina), sabinene (6.71% in Nu Far, 8.99% in Aroma 2, 8.11% in Jolina), eugenol (11.2% in Jolina, 8.71% in Aroma 2), and estragole (18.2% in Nu Far). The use of essential oils alone and in combination with rock dust provides an innovative and environmentally friendly approach for managing ticks and inhibiting vector-borne disease transmission.

Usage of agricultural DAP-fertilizer and Eucalyptus essential oils as potential attractants against the mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae)

• Increase of concerns associated on pesticides and fertilizers use in oasis. • Essential oil sand their compounds are important natural sources of attractants. • DAP/ Eucalyptus essential oils achieved synergistic attractant effects to medfly. In Tunisia, oasis ecosystem is characterized by fragility due to the abusive application of insecticides and fertilizers. Moreover, in oasis Ceratitis capitata is a major pest. Its control relied on synthetic pesticides. This work aims to assess the efficiency of the two formulations based on the combination of DAP and Eucalyptus essential oils. X-Ray Diffraction and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area were used to characterize DAP fertilizer. GC–MS analysis were performed for analyze oils composition and adsorption of oil compounds. Kinetics adsorption/desorption was determined by measuring the mass of solid samples over time. Repellent/attractant and contact toxicity tests of Eucalyptus cinerea and E. maidenii oils and their formulations were evaluated against Medfly adults. GC–MS analysis indicated that 1,8-cineole was the dominant major common compound ( E. cinerea: 74.58%, E. maidenii 66.70%). Moreover, the adsorption efficacy depends on the abundance of each compound in crude essential oils and the polarity of terpenic components. Indeed, percentage of 1,8-cineole adsorption in the formulation was 76.15%for E. cinerea and 65.24% for E. maidenii . Results indicated the attractant potential of both essential oils (class III) and that DAP/essential oils formulations accomplished better attractant performance (class IV). Besides, formulations were toxic towards C. capitata adults (80% and 100% mortality for E. cinerea and E. maidenii). Results pointed out that the commercial lure Ceratrap®, traps baited with DAP/ E. maidenii and DAP/ E. cinerea formulations were attractant against C. capitata adults under field conditions. This work supports the use of essential oils and fertilizers-based formulations as an innovative tool for the management of Medfly.