Insecticidal Activity Of Essential Oil Research Articles

Antifungal and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oils of Four Mentha Species

Background: Mentha species are commonly used in traditional medicine for their several pharmacological properties. Mentha species are also used as spice and are known for their bactericidal, antiviral and fungicidal properties. Objectives: The main objective of this work was to evaluate the antifungal activity and fumigation toxicity of essential oils of Mentha spicata, M. pulegium, M. piperita and M. rotundifulias against fungi and Bactrocera oleae insect responsible for olive rot. Methods: Essential oils of the four Mentha species were extracted by a Clevenger-type apparatus. Their antifungal activity was tested using radial growth technique, and their insecticidal activity was examined by fumigant test. Results: Oxygenated monoterpenes were the main components of the four Mentha essential oils. All the essential oils presented antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Alternaria spp. and Penicillium spp. At the highest concentration (15 µL/mL air), essential oil of M. pulegium caused 100% mortality after 1.5 h of exposure. However, for M. piperita and M. rotundifulia essential oils, 25 µL/mL air was required to have mortality of 100%. Conclusions: The essential oils could act as antifungal agents and fumigants against B. oleae.

Nano Bioinsecticides based on Essential oils Against Phenacoccus solenopsis

In the present study,insecticidal Activity of essential oils (lemon grassCymbopogon citratus, thyme Thymusvulgaris and geranium Pelargoniumgraveolens) and silver nanoparticles(AgNPs) synthesized by using testedessential oils were evaluated against female of P. solenopsisTinsley. At high concentration (40µl/l), the percentages of p. solenopsismortality recorded 100, 100 & 86.70%, for thyme, lemon grass and geranium EOs,while it recorded 100, 90 and 83.3 % at (400ppm) of AgNPs-thyme,AgNPs-lemon grass, and AgNPs-geranium after 72hrs of treatment. All essentialoils and AgNPs were proved to be very toxic to female of p. solenopsis.However, thyme essential oil and AgNPs-thyme recorded the highest mortalitypercentage with LC50 = 8.094 μl/l & 86.645 ppm, respectively,followed by lemon grass (bulk & AgNPs- lemon grass oil) and geranium oil (bulk &with AgNPs- geranium oil).

Insecticidal activity of essential oil from seeds of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.

The essential oil from the seeds of oriental medicinal plant Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. was tested for repellent and fumigant efficacy on fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and mosquito (Anopheles culicifacies). The oil showed potent activity with 76.2 and 93.2% mortality in fumigant assay, and 77.1 and 93.2% repellent efficacy on fruit fly at doses of 100 and 200 μg/ml, respectively. The application of oil against mosquito showed 80.0% mortality in fumigant assay and 70.3% repellency at 100 μg/ml dose. Thus, essential oil of P. trifoliata seeds can be considered as a potential source of biologically active compounds for pest control.

Insecticidal activity of essential oils from five Moroccan plants on three insect pests of stored cereals

Essential oils from five Morrocan plants belonging to different botanical families (Asteraceae, Myrtaceae and Cupressaseae), were prepared by hydrodistillation. These essential oils, which have a long tradition in adjuvant therapy, were tested for insecticidal activity by the method of microcomputer-atmosphere against three major pests of stored products: Rhyzopertha dominica (F), Sitophilus oryzae (L) and Tribolium castaneum (herbst). Results showed that the essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis possessed significant insecticidal properties against the pests studied.

Insecticidal activity of essential oils from five Moroccan plants on three insect pests of stored cereals

Insecticidal activity of essential oils from five Moroccan plants on three insect pests of stored cereals

Comparaison du potentiel insecticide des huiles essentielles de Ocimum gratissimum L. et de Ocimum canum Sims sur Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae), insecte ravageur du cotonnier en Côte d’Ivoire

The abusive use of synthetic pesticides in the phytosanitary protection of cotton in Côte d'Ivoire threatens the viability of the production system. The search for alternative control methods is therefore necessary. Phytosanitary strategies involving plant-based biopesticides have been explored. The insecticidal activity of essential oils of plant species of the genus Ocimum has been the subject of numerous investigations. The objective of this study is to compare the insecticidal potential of two species of the same genus Ocimum gratissimum and O. canum on a major cotton pest, the pink worm Pectinophora gossypiella. Adults of the insect were exposed in the laboratory to the toxic effect of different concentrations of these oils by topical application using a micro applicator. The lethal concentrations causing respectively 50 % (LC50) and 90% (LC90) death in the populations tested were determined for each of the essential oils. The oil extracted from O. gratissimum was the most toxic with LC50 and LC90 respective values of 1.01 % and 5.05 % as compared to O. canum (LC50 = 11.33 % and LC90= 30.04 %). The high toxicity of O. gratissimum may be explained by the presence of 24.57 % thymol and 37.79 % p-cimene in its chemical composition. The extract of O. gratissimum has shown in laboratory the highest potentiel insecticidal activity, it‘s field use can therefore be suggested for the control of this cotton pest.

Insecticidal activity of essential oil from Eucalyptus globulus against Aphis nerii (Boyer) and Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal)

Aphids and thrips are very important pest species of many greenhouse and field plants in the world. In recent years, there have been attempts to identify plants for their insecticidal property with a view to find out suitable alternatives to the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides, which are a risk for human health and the environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the insecticidal effect of Eucalyptus globulus Labill essential oil (EO) against Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Gynaikothrips ficorum Marchal (Thysanoptera: Ploeothridae). The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and the bioassay was evaluated by toxicity contact method, using solutions at different concentrations and for different time intervals. The EO was more toxic to G. ficorum (LC50 = 0.031?L cm-2) than A. nerii (LC50 = 0.099?L cm-2) on filter discs at 12 h of exposure. These results suggested that EO from E. globulus constitute a good alternative for the control of A. nerii and G. ficorum, considering their insecticidal effects at low applied concentrations and for short periods of time.

Insecticidal activity of essential oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Cupressus sempervirens and their binary combinations on Sitophilus zeamais

Maize is cultivated worldwide and used as food and for fuel production. It is usually attacked and destroyed during storage by Sitophilus zeamais. With inaccessibility to synthetic pesticides, farmers are left with the choice of using locally available plant based pesticides. For this reason, we tested the insecticidal potentials of essential oils (EOs) of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Cupressus sempervirens and their binary combinations against S. zeamais on stored maize. Mortality, progeny inhibition, repellence and damage were tested. Pesticide characteristics of both essential oils were dose-dependent, 200 μL/kg of all the combinations caused at least 80% mortality within 14 days of storage while the 50:50 combination completely inhibited progeny production. Moreover, 8 μL of all the EO were repellent to the weevils. The 50:50 binary combination was the most active in all the tests carried out. Pesticidal interactions between the oils in combination were mostly additive and synergistic. There was also a good control of insect population increase and grain damage after six months of storage. Therefore both EOs can be recommended for the control of S. zeamais.

Insecticidal activity of essential oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Cupressus sempervirens and their binary combinations on Sitophilus zeamais

Insecticidal activity of essential oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Cupressus sempervirens and their binary combinations on Sitophilus zeamais

Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity of Essential Oils of Four Varieties of Codiaeum variegatum (L.) from Nigeria

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the air-dried leaves of four varieties of Codiaeum variegatum were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The main constituents of C. variegatum (L.) Blume f. lobatum cv. Disraeli were caryophyllene oxide (58.2 %) and (Z)-β-farnesene (19.6 %). All the four compounds present in C. variegatum var. pictum ‘Congo’ namely linalool (39.3 %), 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (21.0 %), β-pinene (21.6 %) and α-pinene (17.9 %) were present in significant amounts. Phytol (17.8 %), β-bisabolene (9.6 %) and linalool (8.9 %) were the major components of C. variegatum (L.) Blume f. taeniosum cv. Gold Sun, while, C. variegatum (L.) ‘Dreadlocks’ was dominated by β-ionone epoxide (29.7 %), γ-muurolene (20.5 %), naphthalene (16.3 %) and (E)- α-ionone (14.8 %). The chemical constituents of the studied essential oils were being reported for the first time. The essential oil displayed mortality (fumigant toxicity) against Sitophilus zeamais adults at tested concentration with lethal concentrations (LC50) of 72.07, 73.50, 47.43 and 44.04 μg/mL air respectively. The chemical constituents and insecticidal activity of essential oils of C. variegatum were being reported for the first time.

Composition of Pistacia khinjuk (Anacardiaceae) Leaf Essential Oil and its Insecticidal Activity on Common Pistachio Psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciae (Hem., Psylloidea)

Wild pistachio species, Pistacia khinjuk Stocks, is the non-preferred host plant of common psyllid, Aganoscena pistaciae, the key pest of cultivated pistachios, P. vera L. in many Asian countries. P. khinjuk essential oil (EO) was obtained from leaf samples via hydro-distillation. EO chemical composition was identified by GC and GC-MASS. Forty compounds out of 48 total compounds were identified in oil. The major constituents of EO were myrcene (18.7 %), α-eudesmol (12.3 %), β-eudesmol (9.3 %), 1,7-di-epi-β-cedrene (7.3 %), bicyclogermacrene (5.6 %) and δ-eudesmol (4.9 %). Insecticidal activity of EO and pure myrcene, as the major EO constituent, were separately determined through contact bioassay tests against the psyllid eggs and nymphs. Both EO and myrcene caused approximately equal mortalities of 30-45 % on eggs and 65-90 % on nymphs. This is the first report about the insecticidal activity of P. khinjuk essential oil against A. pistaciae.

Potential Insecticidal Activity of some Medicinal Plants Essential Oils against Red Flour Beetle ,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae).

Tribolium castaneum is a major pest of wheat grain flour. Studies were carried out to investigate the insecticidal activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from locally grown seven medicinal plant such as ginger )Zingiber officinale(, garlic (Allium sativum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), dill (Anethum graveolens), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) , and lemon (Citrus limon) against Tribolium castaneum. In addition, Gene expression analysis for three insecticide resistance genes (Cytochrome P450 similar gene, CYP4Q4 and CYP4Q7) that mediated the detoxification mechanism, The EOs showed effective mortality of adult and larval stages of tested insect at concentration levels (6.25, 12.5 and 25) and exposure periods under laboratory conditions as compared with untreated experiments. Overall results, among essential oils A. graveolens and S. aromaticum showed highest mortality rate, followed with T. vulgaris and A. sativum while the minimum mortality rate was in E .globules against T. castaneum adult and larval stage, highest LC50 values was recorded in Anethum graveolens (LC50 at 1.5 hrs),it is note worthy that larvae more sensitive to EOs than adult in addition, Eos showed maximum expression level in T. castaneum larval stage was in Cytochrome P450 similar gene 3.38 Fold changes in mRNA, followed with CYP4Q4 and CYP4Q7 were 2.21 fold and 1.41 fold respectively as compared with reference gene (house keeping gene, β-Actin). Hence, these EOs of investigated plants may be recommended as botanical insecticide to control of stored grain insect, T. castaneum.

Post-application temperature as a factor influencing the insecticidal activity of essential oil from Thymus vulgaris

Essential oils (EOs) have found applications in many industries, including the development and production of botanical insecticides. However, little information is available about the effect of post-application temperature on the insecticidal efficacy of EOs. This study therefore explores the effect of temperature on the insecticidal efficacy of an essential oil (EO) obtained from Thymus vulgaris and its major constituents – thymol, p-cymene and carvacrol, constituting 60.2%, 19.9% and 10.3% of the EO, respectively – in terms of acute toxicity against the larvae of Spodoptera littoralis and Culex quinquefasciatus. As shown by a comparison of lethal doses, the lethal doses significantly decreased with rising temperature upon topical application of the EO against S. littoralis larvae, with LD50 at 15 °C and 30 °C estimated as 52 and 32 μg/larva, respectively. Thymol (LD50 = 31 and 19 μg/larva, for 15 °C and 30 °C, respectively) and carvacrol (LD50 = 73 and 41 μg/larva, for 15 °C and 30 °C, respectively) exhibited similar effects. The opposite effect was found upon EO application to the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus, with LC50 = 19.3 and 24.4 μg L−1 for 15 °C and 30 °C, respectively. Just like the EO, thymol and carvacrol exhibited significantly higher efficacy at the lower temperature. LC50 at 15 °C was estimated as 16.9 and 19.4 μg L−1, and at 30 °C it was estimated as 33.9 and 27.1 μg L−1, respectively, for thymol and carvacrol. The effect of temperature on the efficacy of p-cymene was minimal. As shown in this study, the EO from T. vulgaris exhibits a significant positive as well as negative gradient of toxicity depending on the application mode.

Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of essential oil from coriander fruit against Tribolium castaenum, Sitophilus oryzae, and Lasioderma serricorne

ABSTRACTGas chromatography and gas chromatography–flame ionization detector analysis of essential oil of Coriandrum sativum fruit showed a high percentage of linalool (79.22%) γ-terpinene (6.26%), camphor (2.63%), α-pinene (2.32%), geranyl acetate (1.75%), and p-cymene (1.70%). Significant differences in insect mortality were observed within insect species, oil concentrations, and exposure time. Fumigant treatments have shown that three insect mortality rate increased with the increase in essential oils concentration. Complete insect mortality was detected at the highest concentration within 24 h of exposure for the single compound against Tribolium castaneum and Lasioderma serricorne. Probit analysis showed that LC50 values of coriander essential oil against L. serricorne than Sitophilus oryzae and T. castaneum were 5.25 µL/L air, and 145.49 µL/L air and 276.29 µL/L air, respectively. Among the test compound, linalool demonstrated strong fumigant toxicity against L. serricorne. These result could be important in order to the efficacy of essential oil of coriander and could be potential for use in the insecticidal activities.

Evaluation of the insecticidal activity of essential oils and their mixtures against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The search for new insecticides to control dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika vectors has gained relevance in the past decades. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the larvicidal action of essential oils (EOs) from Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Lippia origanoides, Eucalyptus globulus, Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon martinii, Lippia alba, Pelargonium graveolens, Turnera diffusa, and Swinglea glutinosa on Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti. The EOs were extracted by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The chemical components of the EOs were identified by linear retention indices and mass spectra. Lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC95) were determined by probit analysis using larvae of Ae. aegypti between the third and the fourth instars. All EOs achieved larvicidal activity at LC50 values lower than 115mg/L. The lowest LC50 value (45.73mg/L) corresponded to T. vulgaris EO, whereas C. martinii EO showed the highest LC50 (LC50=114.65mg/L). Some EO mixtures showed lower LC50 than oils used individually, such as the mixtures of L. origanoides+S. glutinosa (LC50=38.40mg/L), T. diffusa+S. glutinosa (LC50=63.71mg/L), and L. alba+S. glutinosa (LC50=48.87mg/L). The main compounds of the EOs with highest larvicidal activity were thymol (42%) and p-cymene (26.4%).

Chemical composition, antimicromicrobial activity and insecticidal activity against the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Link) and Artemisia dracunculus L. essential oils.

Essential oils (EOs) from Artemisia dracunculus L. and Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum were obtained and the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the extracts was investigated. The insecticidal activity of EOs against the larval stages of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) was studied. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of these oils against pathogens transmitted by this pest was also investigated. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using Greek oregano EO with a high content of carvacrol as a feed additive in poultry nutrition. The use of the Greek oregano oil at 1% (w/w) dose showed stronger reduction of body weight gain of stage IV larvae. Their body mass was only 10.92% of the control. Moreover, EOs from O. vulgare strongly inhibited the growth of tested bacterial strains as well as Candida albicans. Greek oregano EO may be a good alternative to antibiotic growth promoters and coccidiostats whose use in feeding farm animals has been prohibited since January 2006 under European Union directives. The introduction of O. vulgare L. ssp. hirtum EO into the premises of farm and poultry houses may help to improve sanitary conditions and control of the lesser mealworm inhabiting these buildings. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Insecticidal activity of essential oil from orange peels (Citrus sinensis) against Tribolium confusum, Callosobruchus maculatus and Sitophilus oryzae and its inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase and Na+/K+-ATPase activities

This study elucidates the fumigant toxicity and insecticidal mechanism of essential oil from orange peels against T. confusum, C. maculatus and S. oryzae. Essential oil from orange peels was obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical constituents of the essential oil were identified by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fumigant toxicity of the essential oil was evaluated against the adults of T. confusum, C. maculatus and S. oryzae. The effect of the essential oil on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na/K-ATPase activities in T. confusum, C. maculatus and S. oryzae homogenates were also determined. The major compounds that were identified in the essential oil include limonene (92.14%), β-myrcene (2.7%), 1,8-cineole (0.33%), α-pinene (0.7%) and γ-Terpinene (0.23%). In the fumigation assay, the essential oil displayed toxic effects against T. confusum, C. maculatus and S. oryzae. Percentage mortality of the insects increased with increase in concentration of the essential oil and exposure time while LC50 reduced with increase in period of exposure. Biochemical studies showed that the essential oil exhibited inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na+/K+-ATPase activities. This study indicates that essential oil from orange peels could be effective in the biocontrol of T. confusum, C. maculatus and S. oryzae and this may be associated to its inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase and Na+/K+-ATPase activity.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Nigeria Grown Hoslundia opposita Vahl (Lamiaceae) Dried Leaves and Its Bioactivity against Cowpea Seed Bruchid.

Due to several ecological and human hazards of synthetic pesticides in postharvest crop protection, there is the need to search for eco-friendly alternatives. In this study, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of essential oil (EO) obtained from Hoslundia opposita dried leaves were evaluated against cowpea seed bruchid. Eight constituents, predominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (78.86%), were identified using Gas Chromatography (GC)/MS. The constituents were 1,8-cineole (1; 61.15%), followed by α-terpineol (2; 16.81%), β-phellandrene (3; 13.24%), β-farnesene (4; 3.55%), α-pinene (5; 1.89%), Germacrene D (6; 1.83%), cis-sabinene hydrate (7; 0.90%) and caryophyllene (8; 0.63%). In fumigation bioassay, at 6 h after exposure (HAE), 0.78 ml EO/l air caused 35.33% mortality which was significantly lower than 60.90% and 63.6% observed at 3.15 and 6.25 ml/l air, respectively. Mortality reached 90.0% at 24 HAE regardless of the applied concentration. Lethal time for 50% of the bruchids (LT50 ) at concentration of 0.78 ml/l air (6.89 h) was higher than the LT50 at 3.15 and 6.25 ml/l air (4.72 and 4.44 h, respectively). H. opposita EO reduced Callosobruchus maculatus oviposition, while progeny emergence observed in EO-treated seeds (2.42 - 25.73) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than 51.56 observed in control. The results confirm H. opposita EO's potentials for control of cowpea bruchids.

Effects of microwave heating on the antioxidant and insecticidal activities of essential oil of Origanum glandulosum Desf. obtained by microwave steam distillation

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the first time to investigate the efficiency of a new process developed in our laboratory: Microwaves Steam Distillation (MSD) on the oregano essential oil extraction. The selected parameters are steam flow, microwave power and extraction time, the response is essential oil yield. According to the statistical method, a second-order polynomial function was assumed to approximate the yield. The coefficient of determination R2 (91.33%), revealed a quite agreement between experimental and predictive values. Optimal conditions were: 6 g. min-1 for steam flow, 300 W for microwave power and 8 min for time. DPPH tests showed that MSD oil was the most efficient than eugenol, SD oil and the main compounds (carvacrol and thymol), and has comparable antioxidant activity to that of BHT. In the other hand, MSD and SD oils have an insecticidal effect against Rhizopertha dominica, but SD oil was most efficient.

Chemical Composition, in vitro Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oil from Cladanthus arabicus

The essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Cladanthus arabicus (L.) Cass was studied for its chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. The essential oil (EO) was analyzed by GC-MS. Sixty seven compounds representing 94.2 % of the oil were identified. The major components of C. arabicus EO were sabinene (31.1 %), β-pinene (16.7 %), myrcene (12.3 %) and α-pinene (5.3 %). Moreover, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil against six bacteria and four Candida strains were studied. The results showed the existence of a strong antioxidant activity with IC50 of 55.4 ± 0.12 μg/mL and 57.2 ± 0.21 μg/mL, respectively for DPPH and FRAP methods. The EO exhibited great antimicrobial activity especially against Micrococcus luteus (MIC = 0.187 mg/mL) and Candida albicans (MIC = 0.187 mg/mL). LD50 and LD90 values were 43.6 and 74.1 ppm against 1d-old larvae of Aedes aegypti, respectively.