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Protective effects of three Artemisia essential oils against Callosobruchus maculatus and Bruchus rufimanus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and the extended side-effects on their natural enemies
Abstract
This research aimed to find plant essential oils with a strong fumigant-specific toxicity effects against Callosobruchus maculatus and Bruchus rufimanus, but which have lower side effects on their parasitoids wasps Dinarmus basalis and Triaspis luteipes. For that, the essential oils of Artemisia herba-alba, A. campestris and A. absinthium were investigated for their chemical composition using GC and GC–MS analysis and were used in a manner that combined exposure to their essential oils with parasitoids releases. Essential oils were assessed for their direct fumigant toxicity against both bruchid beetles and for their residual effects on parasitism rates and pests offspring control. The introduction of D. basalis and T. luteipes adults were done 6 days after the oil application.
... The major constituents of the oil were 1,8-cineole, bornyl acetate, myrcene, and sabinene which account for more than 75.25% of the total oil. The earlier studies on Artemisia species also reported 1,8-cineole was the major compound (9.91, 12.96, and 19.59%) in the EO of A. sieberi, A. gmelinii, and A. herba alba, respectively [27][28][29] but lesser than the present study (41.14%). Similarly, 1,8-cineole present in A. maritima oil (23.6-25%) was also lesser [30][31][32] than in the present study. ...
... Similarly, 1,8-cineole present in A. maritima oil (23.6-25%) was also lesser [30][31][32] than in the present study. The β-myrcene (5.09-5.83%) in A. campestris and A. absinthium was also lesser [27,33] than present study (9.59%). The variation in the chemical constituents might be due to environmental conditions (climate, season, and geographical variation), location/altitude, stage of the plant, time of collection, species/chemotype, and nutritional status of the plant [34][35][36]. ...
... As per the information, the current report is the earliest to disclose that the essential oil of A. maritima showed promising results in toxicity, repellent, and ovipositional deterrence against C. chinensis and C. maculatus adults. The previous studies also reported that the EO from other Artemisia species including A. annua [19], A. judaica [20], A. monosperma [37], A. dracunculus, A. santonicum, A. spicigera [21], A. herba-alba, A. campestris, and A. absinthium [27], A. ordosica [38], A. vulgaris [22], A. scoparia [23], A. sieberi [24] and A. annua [39] showed contact, fumigant, repellent, and ovipositional activities against pulse beetle. Insecticidal activities of the EO depend upon the major constituents, concentration, application method, stage, and type of insect. ...
Pulse beetle is the major pests of pulses that cause significant loss to grains leads to unfit for consumption and marketing. Indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides for the control of pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis and Callosobruchus maculatus) led to insect resistance, pesticide residues on grains which affect consumer’s health and environment. Essential oils (EOs) are good alternatives to synthetics due to their safety to the environment and consumers’ health. The main objective of the present study was to explore the chemical composition, fumigant, repellency, ovipositional deterrence, persistence, and detoxification enzyme inhibition of Artemisia maritima essential oil against pulse beetle. Results showed that primary components of the EO were 1,8-Cineole and bornyl acetate. EO showed promising fumigant toxicity to C. chinensis and C. maculatus (LC50 = 1.17 and 0.56 mg/L, respectively) after 48 h. In the repellent assay, EO at 8 mg/L showed 92–96% repellence after 1 h. In ovipositional deterrence assay, EO showed more ovipositional deterrence against C. chinensis (OD50 = 3.30 mg/L) than C. maculatus (OD50 = 4.01 mg/L). Higher concentrations of oil (8 and 6 mg/L) in C. maculatus showed significant inhibition of the glutathione-S-transferase enzyme (7.14 and 5.61 n mol/min/mL, respectively).
... Many studies have assessed the development of alternative control method over last decades. These studies highlighted five control levers, namely (i) semiochemicals Frerot et al., 2015;Ward, 1999), (ii) selection of resistant varieties (Carrillo-Perdomo et al., 2019;Seidenglanz and Hun Ady, 2016;Szafirowska, 2012), (iii) vegetal oils (iv) microbial control agents (e.g., entomopathogenic fungi) (Sabbour et al., 2007;Titouhi et al., 2017), and (v) an adaptation of cultural practices (e.g., sowing/harvesting dates, sowing density, and crop association) (Bachmann et al., 2020;Seidenglanz et al., 2011;Szafirowska, 2012;Ward, 2018). To date, management approaches mitigating B. rufimanus damage have yet to be implemented in Europe, and some biological aspects of this pest should still be elucidated to develop effective pest management tools, including overwintering behavior, temperature-dependent development, and quantitative economic thresholds. ...
... Ideally, the pushing effect also attracts natural enemies such as predators or parasitoids, and pulling plants reduce population with innate defense or with incorporated pesticide (Pickett et al., 2014). In the case of B. rufimanus, botanical oils of Artemisia campestris L., nigella and mustard were identified as having efficient repellence/oviposition-deterring/insecticidal effects on B. rufimanus (Sabbour et al., 2007;Titouhi et al., 2017). These could then constitute potential repellent agents, as far as their harmlessness effects against beneficial organisms of faba bean crops, and their stability against oxidation and photo-deterioration can be insured (Ketoh et al., 2005;Smart et al., 1994). ...
... predators and parasitoids) as well as on the practices favoring their presence. However, it can be pointed out that two types of parasitoids were identified to date: larvaphageous parasitoids including species from Braconidae (Nees, 1811) family such as Sigalphus pallipes Nees von Esenbeck, 1816, S. gibberosus Szépligeti, 1901, Triaspis thoracica (Curtis, 1860), T. similis (Szepligeti, 1901), T. luteipes (Thomson, 1874) and Chremylus rubiginosus (Nees, 1834), and oophageous parasitoids from Trichogrammatidae family such as Uscana semifumipennis Girault, 1911(Boughdad, 1994Pérez-Benavides et al., 2019;Titouhi et al., 2017). ...
Promoting the cultivation of native legumes, such as faba beans (Vicia faba L.) within the European Union is anticipated to contribute to the sustainability of cropping systems and provide food and feed proteins as alternatives to unsustainable imports. However, efficient alternative control methods to pesticides must be implemented to combat key pests that devalue faba bean seeds (namely, Bruchus rufimanus Boheman, 1833; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This pest causes significant economic losses in faba bean crops as post-embryonic development (cf. seminovorous larvae) occurs inside forming seeds. While there has been extensive research on the biology and chemical ecology of B. rufimanus, efficient control methods are lacking. Here, we review this pest species to identify: (i) knowledge gaps on its biology that could enhance management tools; (ii) potential improvements to current semiochemical-based control approaches; and (iii) other method of control based on semiochemicals that could be implemented.
... Last years, the overuse of synthetic insecticides and fumigants such as phosphine for grain storage has resulted in a number of problems, including the development of insecticide resistance among insect pests of stored grains (Sousa et al. 2009). Currently, stored-product pest control 1 3 strategies tend to emphasize the non-chemical aspects of pest control with the judicious use of pesticides (Titouhi et al. 2017). In this respect, plant extracts are safe, ecofriendly and more compatible with environmental components compared to synthetic pesticides and so ranked under Green pesticides category (Rahman et al. 2016). ...
... The insecticidal activity of M. rotundifolia and M. communis essential oils was evaluated by the fumigant test according to Titouhi et al. (2017). Ten adults of E. kuehniella were placed in Plexiglas bottles of 38 mL volume. ...
Chemical composition of Algerian Mentha rotundifolia and Myrtus communis essential oils, their insecticidal activities and their impact on some biological parameters of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella were assessed. Results showed that M. rotundifolia essential oil contained piperitenone oxide (46.06%), d-limonene (9.10%), cis-piperitone oxide (6.81%), and endo-borneol (4.64%) as major compounds, while M. communis oil was rich in α-pinene (29.08%), 1,8-cineole (36.82%), α-terpineol (6.42%), geranyl acetate (4.38%), and β-linalool (4.04%). The fumigant potential and contact toxicity tests against E. kuehniella demonstrated the effectiveness of M. rotundifolia essential oil (LC50 = 0.54 μL/L air, LC50 = 0.004 μL/cm2) compared to M. communis oil (LC50 = 2.91 μL/L air, LC50 = 0.025 μL/cm2). Moreover, results revealed that all biological parameters were significantly affected (fecundity: 6 eggs/female, oviposition deterrence: 96.62%, log fertility: 0, hatching rate: 0%, copulation rate: 0% for M. rotundifolia oil against fecundity: 93 eggs/female, percentage of oviposition deterrence: 47.85%, log fertility: 6.7, hatching rate: 57%, copulation rate: 53.33% for M. communis oil). This work supports the use of botanical insecticide as active pest control agents under storage conditions.
... Stored-product pest control strategies tend to emphasize the non-chemical aspects of pest control with the judicious use of pesticides. In this context, various researches demonstrated the efficacy of parasitoids and predators in controlling storage pests (Titouhi et al., 2017). Many parasitoids and predators of storage pests are notable for their potential as biological control agents (Flinn & Schöller, 2012). ...
... The C. maculatus colony was maintained in the laboratory. Insects were reared in chickpea, maintained at 27 ± 1°C and 70 ± 5% RH in a 12:12 h cycle light:dark and renewed every three weeks according to the methods described by Haouel et al. (2017). Adult insects, 0-1day old, were used for all bioassays. ...
Food safety is being challenged nowadays as a global concern. Thus, stored-product pest management strategies tend to emphasize the non-chemical aspects of pest control. Consequently, biological control with the use of parasitoids as natural enemies represents a good alternative. Unfortunately, for the correct implementation and success of this sustainable approach, higher management knowledge is required. In this context, the performance of parasitoids is directly related to the quality of the host. For this reason, our work investigated the relationship between Dinarmus basalis performances and the fitness of Callosobruchus maculatus forth larvae. Fitness was measured as the size and weight of C. maculatus forth larvae; while, longevity, parasitism rate, sex ratio and Mean Growth Rate were reported as D. basalis performances. Four Regression Equation Models were used. Results showed high positive correlation between D. basalis performances and larvae weight of the host C. maculatus. Heavy host bodies induced high parasitism rates and sex ratio shifted in favor of females. Moreover, D. basalis adults reread on heavy host bodies have a longer life span. Moreover, results showed that being small hosts does not prevent D. basalis to achieve acceptable performances. This work demonstrated the ability of D. basalis to control and limit C. maculatus populations with a parasitism rate reaching 86%.
... Stored-product pest control strategies tend to emphasize the non-chemical aspects of pest control with the judicious use of pesticides. In this context, various researches demonstrated the efficacy of parasitoids and predators in controlling storage pests (Titouhi et al., 2017). Many parasitoids and predators of storage pests are notable for their potential as biological control agents (Flinn and Schöller, 2012). ...
... The C. maculatus colony was maintained in the laboratory. Insects were reared in chickpea, maintained at 27 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 5% RH in a 12:12 h cycle light: dark and renewed every three weeks according to the methods described by Haouel et al. (2017). Adult insects, 0-1day old, were used for all bioassays. ...
Food safety is being challenged nowadays as a global concern. Thus, stored-product pest management strategies tend to emphasize the non-chemical aspects of pest control. Consequently, biological control with the use of parasitoids as natural enemies represents a good alternative. Unfortunately, for the correct implementation and success of this sustainable approach, higher management knowledge is required. In this context, the performance of parasitoids is directly related to the quality of the host. For this reason, our work investigated the relationship between Dinarmus basalis performances and the fitness of Callosobruchus maculatus forth larvae. Fitness was measured as the size and weight of C. maculatus forth larvae; while, longevity, parasitism rate, sex ratio and Mean Growth Rate were reported as D. basalis performances. Four Regression Equation Models were used. Results showed high positive correlation between D. basalis performances and larvae weight of the host C. maculatus. Heavy host bodies induced high parasitism rates and sex ratio shifted in favor of females. Moreover, D. basalis adults reread on heavy host bodies have a longer life span. Moreover, results showed that being small hosts does not prevent D. basalis to achieve acceptable performances. This work demonstrated the ability of D. basalis to control and limit C. maculatus populations with a parasitism rate reaching 86%.
... Post-harvest treatment is necessary to limit the emergence of adult weevils from the inside of the stored seeds and to comply with market requirements that prohibit the presence of live insects in the grains for export. Biological control has been attempted by using predators and parasitoids (Titouhi et al., 2017) or by applying plant essential oil treatments (Jemâa, 2014;Amzouar et al., 2016;Titouhi et al., 2017). In addition, agronomical and cultural practices have also been applied (Keneni et al., 2011;Mishra et al., 2018). ...
... Post-harvest treatment is necessary to limit the emergence of adult weevils from the inside of the stored seeds and to comply with market requirements that prohibit the presence of live insects in the grains for export. Biological control has been attempted by using predators and parasitoids (Titouhi et al., 2017) or by applying plant essential oil treatments (Jemâa, 2014;Amzouar et al., 2016;Titouhi et al., 2017). In addition, agronomical and cultural practices have also been applied (Keneni et al., 2011;Mishra et al., 2018). ...
Seed weevils (Bruchus spp.) are major pests of faba bean, causing yield losses, and affecting marketability. Our objective was to identify stable sources of resistance to seed weevil attacks, determine the climatic factors that most influenced its incidence and its relationship with some phenological and agronomic traits. The accessions “BOBICK ROD115,” “CÔTE D’OR,” “221516,” and “NOVA GRADISKA” showed increased resistance to penetration and development of larvae. Other accessions such as “QUASAR,” “109.669,” and “223303” exhibited resistance to larval development. The results of this work suggest the presence of different defense mechanisms to seed weevils in faba bean, which in the future could be introgressed in elite cultivars to create resistant varieties and contribute to more sustainable agriculture with less need for pesticides. The temperature, rainfall, and humidity seemed to be the climatic factors most influencing faba bean seed weevil attack while the precocity and the small weight of the seeds were correlated with lower infestation rates in the different experiments.
... In Jordan, it was observed that the most important components are αand β-thujones (27.7%), and the other major components identified are sabinyl acetate (5.4%), germacrene D (4.6%), α-eudesmol (4.2%), and caryophyllene [53]. In Tunisia, a study of A. herba-alba essential oil [48] revealed that the main components are α-thujone (35.23%), norboran-2-one (25.67%), chrysanthenone (7.66%), and 1,8-cineole (5.80%). The dominant components of oil originating in Algeria are Thujone (10.555%), ...
Artemisia herba-alba Asso is an endemic plant from NorthEast Morocco offering a diverse range of pharmacological , cosmetic, and agro-ecological uses. However, Artemisia herba-alba has not been well exploited in the field of plant protection (post-harvest diseases). This is why the main objective of the present study is to evaluate the antifungal and antioxidant activities of extracts or the essential oil of this plant. Antifungal activity was assessed against Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, and Penicillium digitatum using the agar dilution method for the aqueous extracts and fumigation for the essential oil. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH scaven-ging test and the FRAP ferric ion reduction capacity. The chemical composition of the extracts was determined by HPLC and that of the essential oil by GC-MS/MS. In addition, the polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin content was determined using colorimetric methods. The results of this study showed that the total content of polyphenols (217.60 mg GAE/g E), flavonoids (43.59 mg QE/g E), and tannins (32.58 mg GAE/g E) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the ethanolic extract than in the aqueous and hexanoic extracts. Moreover, the HPLC analysis of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of six compounds, namely, catechin, gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin. In addition, the ethanolic extract was found to contain seven phenolic compounds. On the one hand, 35 compounds were identified in the essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba, representing 99.7% of the total. According to this study, the dominant compounds in the essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba Asso are camphor (46.57%), endo-borneol (5.65%), eucalyptol (5.64%), and thymol (3.85%). Furthermore, the biological evaluation showed that the extracts and essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba have significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The findings show that Artemisia herba-alba is a plant that can be used as a source of antifungal chemicals to prevent putrefaction of foodstuffs and, more specifically, postharvest diseases.
... They quickly evaporate at room temperature. Plant essential oils and active ingredients have the potential to show remarkable bioactivity against a variety of insects, including the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus, which has repellent, contact, fumigant toxicity, ovicidal activity, oxidative stress, or susceptibility-enhancing properties [27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. ...
In this study, we used the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and two essential oils (mint and rosemary) to investigate the effect of the parents (F0) exposure to a sublethal dose of essential oil on grand offspring (F2) encountering the same essential oil. Then we evaluated biological parameters, including immature development time, sex ratio, adult emergence, egg number, egg hatch, longevity, and mating behaviors in three generations (F0, F1, and F2). Results showed when F0 experienced essential oil in the embryonic stage, parental and grandparental effects were more severe than adulthood experiences. Also, grandparental effects increased or decreased reactions of F2 generation when faced with a similar essential oil, depending on grand offspring sex. For example, when grandparents experienced rosemary essential oil in the embryonic stage, they produced more tolerant female grand offspring with a better ability to cope with the same essential oil (increased adult longevity and egg number). However, male grandoffspring were more sensitive (had a higher mortality percentage and less copulation success). Grandparental effects of exposure to mint essential oil diminished female grand offspring longevity and improved male copulation behavior parameters such as increased copulation duration and decreased rejection by females. In all, grandparental effects were different in male and female grand offspring based on the essential oil type experienced by F0.
... Based on the study by Boughdad and Laugé (1997), Triaspis luteipes (Curtis) is the most effective parasitoid of B. rufimanus. This occurs after bean harvest and attacks the L3 and L4 larval stages and pupae of this bruchid (Titouhi et al. 2017). Insects of the genus Dinarmus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) have been identified as the most effective natural antagonists of bruchids (Ketoh et al. 2002). ...
Postharvest losses caused by pests in cereal and legume stocks are a major food security challenge in Morocco. These losses can be harmful and seriously affect food supply chains. Synthetic insecticides are widely used to combat pest proliferation in stored foodstuffs. Although these chemicals are shown to be effective in controlling storage pests, their use may induce increased resistance in exposed species, resulting in additional health and ecological repercussions. In addition, some synthetic insecticide residues can contaminate stored foods and pose risks to human and animal health. In this context, several studies on ecological management, particularly natural plant-based extracts, have been conducted to fight storage pests without affecting the quality of stored foodstuffs. This work reviews the ecological management of stored cereal and legume pests, as well as the state of the art of research on these aspects in Morocco. Indeed, several emerging technologies have been identified, including varietal resistance, semiochemicals, and physical and biological control, with a particular emphasis on the exploitation of biopesticides in Morocco. The challenges and research perspectives of these ecological practices were also discussed. Based on the literature, ecological control is both safer and more effective in the long term and not only benefits the environment but also human health by reducing exposure to hazardous substances.
... In the recent decade, essential oils (EOs) have been gaining attention among the scientific community as novel alternatives to synthetic chemicals due to their rapid biodegradability and ability to disrupt insect biochemical, physiological, and behavioral functions [15,16]. Artemisia absinthium L. is an aromatic and medicinal herb and it has been reported to have toxicity against various agricultural and household pests, including store pests Callosobruchus maculatus and Bruchus rufimanus [17], repellent and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and Musca domestica [18], contact and residual toxicity against Sitophilus oryzae [19], and fumigant mode of action against Solenopsis geminata and Tribolium castaneum [20]. ...
Interest in developing novel crop protectants has increased in the recent decade due to the harmful effects of synthetic pesticides on humans and the environment. Diaphorina citri threatens the citrus industry worldwide and is the primary vector of phloem-limited bacterium (HLB). However, there is no available cure for HLB. Diaphorina citri management mainly depends on the use of synthetic insecticides, but their massive application leads to resistance in pest populations. Therefore, alternative pest management strategies are needed. Our results indicated that fewer D. citri adults settled on plants treated with AAEO than on control 48 h after release. The psyllids fed on citrus leaves treated with AAEO significantly reduced the honeydew production compared to the control. The AAEO showed potent ovicidal activity against the D. citri eggs with LC50 5.88 mg/mL. Furthermore, we also explored the fitness of D. citri on AAEO-treated and untreated Citrus sinensis by using two-sex life table tools. Our results revealed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was higher on untreated seedlings (0.10 d−1) than those treated with an LC20 concentration of AAEO (0.07 d−1). Similarly, the net reproductive rate (R0) was higher for untreated seedlings (14.21 offspring) than those treated (6.405 offspring). Furthermore, the AAEO were safer against Aphis mellifera, with LC50 35.05 mg/mL, which is relatively higher than the LC50 24.40 mg/mL values against D. citri. The results indicate that AAEO exhibits toxic and behavioral effects on D. citri, which can be a potential candidate for managing this pest.
... In this way, it can be shown that EON is more toxic than EOA, with an LC 50 of 2.08 and 2.74 µL/L of air at 36 h, respectively. These values show that both tested essential oils have potent insecticidal activity towards C. maculatus, and these results support previous research on the insecticidal effects of EOs from other species of the Artemisia genus, such as Artemisia herba alba, Artemisia judaica, Artemisia campestris, Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia dracunculus [55,[57][58][59]. ...
Artemisia negrei (A. negrei) and Artemisia aragonensis (A. aragonensis) are in the family Asteraceae, which has been used in traditional medicine. The use of plant-derived insecticides has become a promising strategy to reduce the harmful effects of synthetic insecticides and overcome the bio-resistance of pest insects to insecticides. In this regard, the purpose of the current study was to determine the chemical composition and evaluate insecticidal effects of essential oils (EOs) extracted from A. negrei (EON) and A. aragonensis (EOA). Notably, all chemical constituents present in the EOs were identified through GC-MS analysis, whilst the insecticidal properties against Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (C. maculatus) were investigated by use of in vitro an in silico approaches. The obtained results showed that both tested EOs present a significant insecticidal effect against C. maculatus, which increased significantly upon the dose used in both contact and inhalation tests. The lethal concentrations (LC50) for the inhalation test were found to be 2.1 and 2.97 μL/L, while in the contact test they were 2.08 and 2.74 μL/L of air for EON and EOA, respectively. At 5 μL/L of air, the spawn reduction rate was 88.53 % and 77.41%, while the emergence reduction rate was 94.86% and 81.22% by EON and EOA, respectively. With increasing doses of up to 20 μL/L of air, the reduction in individual emergence reached 100% by the two oils tested after 36 h of treatment. In addition, Molecular docking (MD) simulations supported the in vitro findings and indicated that certain identified components in EOA and EON exhibited stronger hydrogen bonding interactions with the target receptors. Interestingly, the prediction of ADMET properties indicates that the molecules investigated have great pharmacokinetic profiles with no side effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that EOA and EON may exert both potential contact and inhalation insecticidal actions and could be used as an alternative tool for the control of this major insect pest of stored products.
... Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae), known as wormwood, is an aromatic and medicinal herb of ethnopharmacological interest [15]. In addition, it has been reported to have toxicity against Callosobruchus maculatus and Bruchus rufimanus [16], repellent and larvicidal activity against mosquitos (Benelli, 2015; Govindarajan and Benelli, 2016), ingestion toxicity against Sitona lineatus [17] and Drosophila melanogaster [18], and fumigant toxicity against Tetranychus urticae and Bemisia tabasi [19]. ...
Interest in developing novel crop protectants has gained attention in the recent decade due to the hazardous effects of synthetic pesticides on humans and the environment. The citrus industry worldwide is threatened by the D. citri, the primary vector of phlo-em-limited bacterium (HLB) or citrus greening. However, there is no cure for citrus greening available. Diaphorina citri management largely depends on synthetic insecticides, but their massive application leads to resistance in pest populations. Therefore, alternative pest management strategies are needed. Our results indicated fewer D. citri adults settled on plants treated with ABEO than on control 48 h after re-lease. The psyllid fed on citrus leaves treated with ABEO significantly secreted less honeydew than the control. The essential oil showed potent ovicidal activity against the D. citri eggs with LC50 5.88 mg/mL. Furthermore, we also explore the fitness of D. citri on ABEO-treated and untreated Citrus × sinensis by using two-sex life table tools. The results indicated that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was higher on untreated seedlings (0.10 d−1) than those treated with a sub-lethal dose of ABEO (0.07 d−1). Similarly, the net re-productive rate (R0) was higher for untreated seedlings (14.21 offspring) than those treated (6.405 offspring). Notably, the ABEO were safer against Aphis melifera, with LC50 ranging from 31.05 to 55.86 mg/mL, which is relatively higher than the LC50 24.40 mg/mL values against D. citri. Our results indicate that ABEO exhibits toxic and behavioral effects on D. citri that could be useful for managing this pest.
... This may be explained by the negative effect of insecticide application frequency on natural enemies [39] causing sudden outbreaks of insect pests [40]. Several parasites attack species of Bruchus genus, e.g., the egg parasitoid Uscana senex (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) [41], and the parasitoid Triaspis thoracica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attacked 80% of Bruchus larvae [42]. The lowest seed damage was achieved by applying insecticide at the end of flowering (GS), which is in line with the work of Segers et al. [25], which found that the best time to control B. rufimanus was at the beginning of the pod formation stage. ...
During the growing seasons of 2018 to 2020, a field experiment in broad bean (Vicia faba L.) was conducted at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. The objective of the study was to explore the effects of the timing of insecticide application on the abundance, damage, and control of the broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boh.). The experiment included four spray regimes and an untreated control. Yellow water traps were utilized to monitor the broad bean weevil from germination to senescence. Results indicate that broad bean weevil infestation occurred in all study years, with the highest density of adults observed during the flowering stage. Damage to seeds ranged from 23% to 59.62%. The data suggest that B. rufimanus infestation can result in a 19.1% reduction in seed yield. However, spraying when the daily temperature exceeded the threshold for adult activity for 3 days and at the end of flowering produced a significant increase in yield of 13.3% and 6.6%, respectively. Additionally, the spray at the end of flowering reduced damaged seeds by 21.4%–48%.
... 4 Indeed, various studies reported the potential of many plant derived EOs against insect pests mainly those infesting stored products including dates. 5 Several EOs have been reported to have multiple modes of action like contact, fumigant, repellent, deterrent of oviposition, anti-feeding, and growth regulators. 6,7 However, the practical applicability of EOs as green preservative is still challenging due to their high volatility and easily degradation upon oxidation through exposure to light, heat, oxygen and humidity. ...
BACKGROUND
Synthetic insecticides are the most useful tools for preventing losses caused by insect pest's infestation during storage. However, the use of pesticides should be limited because of the development of insect resistance and their adverse effects on human health and environment. In the last decades, natural insecticidal products, principally essential oils (EOs) and their active components, exhibited potential alternatives for pest control. Nevertheless, due to their volatile nature, encapsulation could be considered as the most appropriate solution. Therefore, this work aims to investigate the fumigant ability of inclusion complexes of Rosmarinus officinalis EO and its major constituents (1,8‐cineole, α‐pinene and camphor) with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) against Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Pyralidae) larvae.
RESULTS
The encapsulation within HP‐β‐CD reduced greatly the release rate of the encapsulated molecules. Therefore, free compounds were more toxic than those encapsulated. Moreover, results revealed that encapsulated volatiles exhibited interesting insecticidal toxicity towards E. ceratoniae larvae. In fact, after 30 days mortality rates were 53.85, 94.23, 3.85 and 42.31% for α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineole, camphor and EO, respectively, encapsulated within HP‐β‐CD. In addition, results showed also that 1,8‐cineole free and encapsulated was more effective toward E. ceratoniae larvae than the other tested volatiles. Additionally, the HP‐β‐CD/volatiles complexes exhibited best persistence compared to the volatiles components. The half‐life of the encapsulated α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineole, camphor and EO (7.83, 8.75, 6.87 and 11.20 days) was significantly longer than that of the free ones (3.46, 5.02, 3.38 and 5.58 days).
CONCLUSION
These results sustain the utility of R. officinalis EO and its main components encapsulated in CDs as treatment to stored‐date commodities. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
... Application of essential oil of Artemisia campestris along with release of above mentioned parasitoids, were results in significantly decrease in insect infestation in stored grain (Titouhi et al., 2017). Moringa oleifera is characterized as a powerful insecticide with insect repellent abilities widely utilized. ...
The faba bean crop is facing different biotic and abiotic factors that ultimately lower its production. One of the serious threats to faba beans production is the bruchid beetle (Bruchu rufimanus). The crop acts as a host plant, and the life cycle of bruchid beetles (Bruchus rufimanus) is based on faba bean crop. Studies reveal that there is a significant impact of different organic extracts on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) Production against the bruchid beetle, furthermore, essential oils and organic extracts bearing insecticidal compounds that counter the bruchid beetle infestation to an appropriate level. Globally, crops bear unstable yield which leads to an inadequate area under production and limited farmer expertise in relation to faba bean crop production. The ultimate result is inadequate experience and expertise of its management practices. Use of chemical insecticides has an adverse impact on the natural ecosystem and non-target insect pests. The review is based on different biological approaches that may counter the bruchid beetle (Bruchus rufimanus) infestation. There is a need to limit its attack at pre harvest stage to obtain quality seed and to boost the yield potential. There is very less literature available on pre harvest control of bruchid beetles (Bruchus rufimanus). Different plant based essential oil and extracts having insect repellent tendency with insecticidal compounds. Innovative approaches like Semiochemical based insect trap and nanosilica coating will prove a breakthrough to counter bruchid beetle (Bruchus rufimanus) infestation. This review paper represents the summary and overview related to the improved quality of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) crop with bio-control against bruchid beetle (Bruchus rufimanus). The data reveals the combined exposure of research papers and other literature that is available in terms of related aspects. This may lead to literature overview from previous research and present findings in a combined form. Further work is needed to counter bruchid beetle (Bruchus rufimanus) attack at pre harvest stage by using biological approaches.
... However, many of these have been banned, as they have a negative impact on the environment and pollinators. Biological control methods have been attempted but their application is still limited (Sabbour & E-Abd-El-Aziz, 2007;Titouhi et al., 2017). Kairomones transmitted from faba bean plants and pheromones from broad bean weevil males have also been studied (Bruce et al., 2011;Johansson, 2022) but totally efficient semiochemical traps have not been reported to date. ...
The broad bean weevil, Bruchus rufimanus Boh. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), also called bruchid beetle, is a major pest of Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) given that larvae develop inside the seeds causing direct quality losses in agricultural products. Recurrent chemical applications are inappropriate because they represent a serious threat to pollinators in general. In addition, biological control approaches that have been attempted so far showed limited effectiveness, which makes studies of methods to control bruchid populations extremely important. Breeding resistant cultivars is the most adequate approach to achieve efficient levels of pest resistance and promote sustainable agriculture. To explore the mechanisms underlying bruchid resistance, we explored B. rufimanus behavior at different life stages and preference in plant feeding, oviposition, and larval survival into adulthood on a range of susceptible and resistant broad bean cultivars (genotypes), both in greenhouse experiments and in the field. Our greenhouse results showed that females, compared to males, prefer flowers from some genotypes over others, although the choices made did not correspond with egg‐laying preference. Egg‐laying preference was also affected by cultivars. This attraction for egg‐laying was associated with the number of seeds per pod produced by the genotypes. In the field flowering date influenced bruchid infestation. Also the survival of larvae into adulthood was greater in certain genotypes over others. The results of our study lay the groundwork for further analyses to finely dissect V. faba resistance towards bruchids and pave the way for the development of methods to predict potential resistant genotypes in research and breeding programs.
... In the case of Northern African EOs, the change has not affected the preponderant constituents (α/β-thujone, camphor, chrysanthenone), but rather concerns those presenting a relative proportion, such as verbenone (8.3%), sabinol (7.5%), carvone (5.1%) [74], and filifolone (12.7%) [75]. In the case of Algerian EOs, the following components with different proportions were manifested: norbornan-2one (25.7%), enorborane (5.5%), borneol (3%) [76]; while in the case of Tunisian EOs, other unusual compounds were present, such as vanilyl alcohol (11.5%), nor-davanone (7.8%), cis threo-davanafuran (5.8%), isobornyl n-butyrate (4.9%), and trans arbusculone (4.5%) [77]. For Moroccan EOs, the presence of both cis carvyl acetate (2.8%) and borneol (2.6%) was recently reported [78]. ...
In Morocco, the endemic Artemisia herba-alba is well known by its traditional uses and health ben-efits. The search for natural, safe, and effective antibacterial and antifungal agents from plants is in high demand due to microbial and fungal resistance to conventional synthetic antibiotics and an-tifungal drugs. In this study, the A. herba-alba was collected from the region of Fez-Boulemane during the periods of March, June, and September. Essential oils (EOs) were extracted from the aerial part of the plant by the hydrodistillation method. The chemical constituents were determined using GC-MS as analytical tools. The antimicrobial activities of different oils were tested using the macrodilution method. The results showed the difference in the yields between the three EOs (0.49, 1.74, 1.30% (mL/100 g)), respectively, as well as in their corresponding chemical compositions. The main constituents revealed by GC-MS are higher contents of oxygenated monoterpenes (84.7, 84.4, 81%), such as cis chrysanthenyl acetate (30, 26.7, 27.6%), β-thujone (23.2, 12.9, 15.4%), camphor (9.76, 14.3, 15.8%), chrysanthenone (2.4, 1, 14%), 1,8-cineole (1.5, 11.7, 11.8%), trans β-dihydroterpineol (7.8, 7.2, 6.9%), α-thujone (4.8, 3, 5.4%), and sesquiterpenic davanone (3.9, 1.5, 1.4%), respectively. The three EOs biological activities’ results showed significant antimicrobial ef-fects against four bacteria tested (E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, M. luteus), with the MIC values ranging from 0.1 to 0.03% (v/v), as well as interesting antifungal effects on both wood rot fungi against four fungi examined (G. trabeum, P. placenta, C. puteana, C. versicolor) and molds against three micro-organisms tested (A. niger, P. digitatum, P. expansum), with MIC values ranging from 0.2 to 0.03% (v/v) and 0.4 to 0.03% (v/v), respectively. The June and September EO samples showed more potent activities than those collected during March. Our research findings showed quantitative variability in both EO contents and chemical compositions, which could be due to the phenological stages, climatic conditions of growth, and harvesting periods. The potent results of the antimicrobi-al/antifungal activities were provided by the EOs of June and September and might be correlated to the contribution and synergism effect of all oxygenated monoterpenes. These results support the possible application of A. herba-alba EOs as natural and safe antibacterial agents, and an effective alternative to synthetic drugs, enabling the prevention and treatment of certain pathogenic infec-tions in food and health, and the preservation of wood alteration against fungi.
... (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Triaspis luteipes (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), developing on bruchid host larvae, were tested for their susceptibility to Artemisia herba-alba Turra and A. campestris L. EOs. Dinarmus basalis was susceptible in fumigation trials while parasitoids released 6 days after treatment had reduced negative effects, as well as T. luteipes, whose emergence was just slightly reduced (Titouhi et al., 2017). Similarly, Ketoh et al. (2002Ketoh et al. ( , 2005 demonstrated that EO vapors and residues (6 days from treatment) can be highly toxic towards adult D. basalis, and all developmental stages of this parasitoids were very susceptible to Hyptis spicigera Lam and H. suaveolens (L.) Kuntze EOs (Sanon et al., 2011). ...
The control of arthropod pests of agricultural importance is increasingly difficult due to the quick development of resistance in the targeted pest populations coupled to their massive non-target lethal and sublethal effects. This fostered the progressive banning of active ingredients at international and national levels, making pest management challenging. Reliable and environmentally sustainable pest control tools are required. Botanicals, with special reference to plant essential oils (EOs), can represent a broad source of active ingredients to develop effective insecticides and acaricides for agricultural purposes. In this context, our review analyzed the literature currently available about the lethal and sublethal activity of EOs on non-target terrestrial invertebrates in agricultural settings, including biological control agents (predators and parasitoids), pollinators and soil non-target species. Even if EO-based insecticides and acaricides are generally considered safer from a non-target point of view, a number of detrimental effects have been noted on biological control agents, including negative effects on respiration rate, reduced predatory ability and reduced parasitization rates, among others. Examples of sublethal effects experienced by pollinators exposed to EO-based pesticides are the reduction in the movement speed and distance travelled, while the toxicity of EO-based products on soil invertebrates is limited. Of note, the modes of action leading to EO toxicity on non-target species are scarcely studied. Further research on long-term non-target effects of EO-based pesticides in the field is still needed.
... One of the most studied stressors is essential oils (Mariama and Doumma, 2015;Sabbour, 2019;Amiri and Bagheri, 2021;Krzyżowski et al., 2020). Different researches have revealed that many plants' essential oils have fumigant toxicity, repellency, ovicidal activity, insecticidal activity, provoke oxidative stress, and increase susceptibility to environmental stressors in different insects, including Callosobruchus maculatus, an agricultural legumes pest and a model insect (Isman, 2000;Kéïta et al., 2000;Abd-Elhady, 2012;Akami et al., 2017;Titouhi et al., 2017;Viteri Jumbo et al., 2018;Amiri and Bandani, 2020). For example, some studies have found that mint and rosemary essential oils are toxic to C. maculatus and should be considered environmental stressors (Khani and Asghari, 2012;Mariama and Doumma, 2015;Sabbour, 2019;Amiri and Bagheri, 2021;Krzyżowski et al., 2020). ...
Stress and harsh environmental conditions affect an organism's life-history traits and may impact the following generation/s features and stress resistance by parental effect. However, it is unknown which time point after stressor exposure is better for mating and subsequent parental effect transfer to future generation/s. We assessed post-stressor exposure mating to evaluate whether early mating (an hour) or late mating (24 h) post stressors exposure would affect the parental effect. To address this issue, we used seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus and mint and rosemary essential oils as environmental stressors to evaluate biological parameters, including immature development time, adult emergence, sex ratio, longevity, egg number, egg hatch, and copulatory behaviors. Results showed that the interval between stress exposure and mating affected parents' fitness. Thus, early-mated post-stressor-exposed females lived longer than late-mated females. However, mating timing did not influence male adult longevity. In the late-mated group, stress did not affect insects' mating behaviors, whereas adverse effects were recorded in early-mated beetles. Parents' stress exposure also did not alter biological parameters in the unexposed F1 generation. Then we let the F2 generation experience the same stressor as F0. Rosemary essential oil exposed late-mated grandparents produced grand offspring that laid more eggs with higher hatching rates than grand offspring of the control in response to rosemary essential oil. In other words, late-mated grandparents generated grand offspring who could better cope with the same stressor as F0. This study indicated that the interval between stress exposure and mating is important in the quality of parental effects. Parents having enough time for recovery could produce offspring and subsequently grand offspring more capable of coping with the same stressor.
... Besides, investigations indicated that EOs from the plants families, as Lamiaceae (Park et al., 2016), Asteraceae (Junhirun et al., 2018), Apiaceae (Ben-Khalifa et al., 2018), Myrtaceae (Siddique et al., 2022) and Rutaceae (Zarrad et al., 2015;Duarte et al., 2019) exhibited interesting insecticidal activities. EOs have been investigated for their attractant/ repellent (Jemâa, 2014;Mediouni Ben Jemâa et al., 2012a;Luu-Dam et al., 2021), antifeedant (Valcarcel et al., 2021), fumigant (Hamdi et al., 2015;Titouhi et al., 2017) and contact effects (Aouadi et al., 2020). Various activities were assessed against eggs, larvae and adults of insect species belonging to orders like Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Isoptera (Badreddine et al., 2015;Bosly, 2013;Digilio et al., 2008;Gonçalves et al., 2005;Lima et al., 2013;Ogendo et al., 2008;Patiño-Bayona et al., 2021;Sombra et al., 2020;de Souza et al., 2021;Saraiva et al., 2021;Chellappandian et al., 2018). ...
In recent times, the interest in healthy foods reconsideration is rising again. Issues related to food protection and preservation for quality and safety improvements as well as longer shelf-life of products are of global concern. Additionally, the concern on hazards associated with pesticides use on human health and the environment is growing. Thus, actions targeting the investigation of potentially low-risk active substances and natural compounds for food conservation are needed. In this context, plant extracts including essential oils (EOs) have been
recognized as important natural sources of pesticides with widespread range of activities. However, EOs are volatile, poorly soluble in water, and susceptible to degradation and oxidation. Therefore, essential oil encapsulation in delivery systems made of natural components seems to be a possible solution to overcome these restrictions. This review focuses on the insecticidal potential of encapsulated and free forms of EOs with particular emphasis on the types and characteristics of encapsulation systems loading natural insecticides.
... The lipophilic chemicals of essential oils can enter into insects and cause biochemical dysfunction and mortality (Lee et al., 2004b). (Hamdi et al., 2015;Titouhi et al., 2017) and contact effects (Aouadi et al., 2020). Various activities were assessed against eggs, larvae and adults of insect species belonging to orders like Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Isoptera (Badreddine et al., 2015;Bosly, 2013;Digilio et al., 2008;Gonçalves et al., 2005;Lima et al., 2013;Ogendo et al., 2008). ...
Essential oil (EO) components possess important biological functions including antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. However, their industrial application is limited due to their volatility, poor water solubility and chemical instability. To solve the aforementioned drawbacks, our thesis work focuses on the preparation and characterization of conventional liposomes (CLs) and drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposomes (DCLs) carrying several EO components. Characterization of EO encapsulation and release was performed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and multiple headspace extraction method, respectively. The effect of the chemical structure, the aqueous solubility, the octanol/ water partition coefficient (log P), and the Henry’s law constant (Hc) on the characteristics of CLs and DCLs was investigated. The non-hydrogenated soybean phospholipid (Lipoid S100) was used in combination with cholesterol (CHOL) to prepare the liposomes by the ethanol injection method. A series of EO components was considered including: α-pinene, camphor, estragole, eucalyptol, isoeugenol, pulegone, terpineol, and thymol. Entrapment in CLs was more efficient for the EO components presenting a hydroxyl group in their structure and for those exhibiting a low Hc as well as a low aqueous solubility value. The size and the composition of vesicles were shown to influence the release of components from liposomes. The factors related to EO properties that favor their encapsulation in DCLs were: the presence of a propenyl tail or a hydroxyl group in the structure as well as possessing a high log P value. Besides, a negative relationship was established between the encapsulation efficiency of EO components into DCLs and the CHOL membrane content of vesicles. The release of components from DCLs depends on their encapsulation efficiency into the formulations. Moreover, the interaction of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and HP-β-CD/drug inclusion complex with Lipoid S100:CHOL- and Phospholipon 90H:CHOL liposomes was studied where their effects on the size and the membrane composition of vesicles were examined. Results demonstrated that the incorporation of HP-β-CD in the internal aqueous compartment of the liposomes modified the size distribution of vesicles. In addition, HP-β-CD reduced phospholipids incorporation into both types of membranes while reduced CHOL incorporation only for Phospholipon 90H:CHOL vesicles. In conclusion, liposomes and DCLs could be considered as promising carrier systems for EO components. The developed formulations may find wide applications in food, agricultural and pharmaceutical fields.
... A. herba alba Asso. is among the most important species of the family Asteraceae, which has been the subject of various chemical and biological studies, including insecticidal properties [55,56]. It is thus fitting that our results are in agreement with those reported by Hussain [57], who investigated the insecticidal properties of A. herba alba Asso on other insects. ...
Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (C. maculatus) is one of the major pests of legume seeds in storage causing significant damage, leading to food insecurity and low income for farmers. This work was planned to develop eco-friendly agents from essential oils of Artemisia herba alba Asso. (AEO), Maticaria Recutita L. (MEO), and Dittrichia Viscosa L. (DEO) to control C. maculatus. To achieve this goal, essential oils (EOs) were extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevenger apparatus before being characterized by GC-MS. EOs were used for testing purposes using three different tests, namely, inhalation toxicity, contact toxicity, and repellency tests. GC-MS analysis of EOs showed the presence of 16 potentially active compounds in AEO and 38 in MEO, whilst 15 compounds were identified in DEO. AEO was higher in thujone (57.6%) and chrysanthenone (11.8%). Santolina alcohol (40.7%) and germacrene D (8.9%) were the major compounds identified in MEO, whereas isocostic acid (72.3%) was the chief compound of DEO. The obtained findings showed that the studied EOs showed considerable insecticidal activity against C. maculatus with a lethal dose (LC50) of 3.78, 8.86, and 14.34 μL/1 liter of air by AEO, MEO, and DEO, respectively. At 1 μL/1 liter of air, the oviposition reduction rate was 90.02%, 70.65%, and 48.23% by AEO, MEO, and DEO, respectively, whereas the emergence reduction rate was 87.32%, 60.08%, and 32.24% by AEO, MEO, and DEO, respectively. With increasing doses up to 20 μL/L, the reduction of individual emergence reached 98.8% by AEO of 24 h after treatment. AEO, MEO, and DEO showed significant repellent effects against adults of C. maculatus with repulsion percentages of 60.83%, 50.83%, and 72.5%, respectively. The outcome of this work suggests that the essential oils of the studied plants, particularly Artemisia herba alba Asso. oils, can constitute a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to develop new bioinsecticides for the control of C. maculatus.
... Sweet at 100 µL/L [31], Cuminum cyminum L. (LC 50 = 3.50 µL/L) [32] and Rosmarinus officinalis (LC 50 = 13.3 µL/L air) [32,33] against C. chinensis. The EOs at lower concentrations in the present study were also effective against C. maculatus compared to the EOs of Artemisia herbaalba and Vanillosmopsis arborea (5.2-7.7 µL/L) [34,35]. In a similar study, the EOs of Syzygium aromaticum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (LD 50 = 78.2 and 131 µL kg −1 ) were not superior [36] to the present study against C. maculatus. ...
Pulse beetles, Callosobruchus chinensis and Callosobruchus maculatus, are essential pests of cowpea, gram, soybean and pulses. Application of synthetic insecticides against the pulse beetle has led to insect resistance; insecticide residues on grains affect human health and the environment. Essential oils (EOs) are the best alternatives to synthetics due to their safety to the environment and health. The main objective of the investigation was to study the chemical composition and insecticidal activities of EOs, their combinations and compounds against the pulse beetle under laboratory. Neo-isomenthol, carvone and β-ocimene are the significant components of tested oils using GC-MS. Mentha spicata showed promising fumigant toxicity against C. chinensis (LC50 = 0.94 µL/mL) and was followed by M. piperita (LC50 = 0.98 µL/mL), whereas M. piperita (LC50 = 0.92 µL/mL) against C. maculatus. A combination of Tagetes minuta + M. piperita showed more toxicity against C. chinensis after 48 h (LC50 = 0.87 µL/mL) than T. minuta + M. spicata (LC50 = 1.07 µL/mL). L-Carvone showed fumigant toxicity against C. chinensis after 48 h (LC50 = 1.19 µL/mL). Binary mixtures of T. minuta +M. piperita and M. spicata showed promising toxicity and synergistic activity. EOs also exhibited repellence and ovipositional inhibition. The application of M. piperita can be recommended for the control of the pulse beetle.
... Essential oils and their compounds exhibited a variety of biological functions including insecticidal activities [1,2]. Indeed, various studies reported the potential of many plant derived essential oils against insect pests mainly those infesting stored products [3,4]. ...
Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Pyralidae) is the main inse ct pest attacking dates in fie ld and storage in Tunisia. Postharvest protection is re lie d on fumigants. This work inve stigates fumigant toxicity of 2-hydroxypropyl-be ta-cyclode xtrin (HP-β-CD) loading Rosmarinus officinalis esse ntial oil and its major constitue nts (1,8-cine ole , α-pine ne, camphor, borneol) against E. ce ratoniae larvae and adults. Results re veale d that mortalities reache d 56.86; 60.71; 64.28; 50 and 75% respective ly for the crude esse ntial oil, α-pine ne , camphor, borneol and 1,8-cineole afte r 30 storage days at the conce ntration 90 µl/l air. Also, results indicate d that 1,8-cine ole , camphor and α-pine ne showe d the stronge st inhibitory e ffects of adults e mergence.
... Recently, growing public concern regarding the adverse effects of pesticides and possible damage to the environment and human health has led to increasing attention being given to natural products to control pests (Ali et al. 2020;Khan et al. 2020). Currently, pests control strategies tend to emphasize the non-chemical aspects of pest control (Titouhi et al. 2017;Banaras et al. 2020Banaras et al. , 2021Javed et al. 2021). Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds, principally monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and phenylpropanoids (Fujita and Kubo 2004), distributed at a quite different concentrations. ...
This work aimed to assess in vitro insecticidal and antifungal activities of Mentha rotundifolia and Myrtus communis essential oils against the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and three fungal species (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium solani and Colletotrichum acutatum). Oxygenated monoterpenes presented the dominant group with 72.94 and 58.92% respectively for M. rotundifolia and M. communis essential oils. M. rotundifolia and M. communis essential oils composition was dominated by 72.94 and 58.92% of oxygenated monoterpenes, respectively. The determined lethal concentrations of mentha essential oils against T. castaneum adults revealed high toxicity respectively for fumigant and contact tests, LC50 = 0.113 μL cm-2 and LC50 = 32.71 μL L-1 air. However, common myrtle oil showed a weak fumigant activity (LC50 = 357.67 μL L-1 air) and no contact toxicity. Furthermore, M. rotundifolia essential oil showed a marked antifungal toxicity against all the fungal strains. The mycelial growth of the three fungal strains was completely inhibited at the concentrations of 0.33 μL L-1 by contact application and 8, 10 and 12 µL by fumigant application. M. communis essential oil displayed only a contact antifungal toxicity against B. cinerea at the concentration 21.33 μL L-1. Additionally, M. rotundifolia completely inhibited conidial germination of B. cinerea and F. solani, and affected significantly their morphology, With morphological modifications at the rate of 92.94 and 51.11% respectively. In light of in vitro tests results, the mentha essential oil appeared to be an excellent source of antifungal and insecticidal components and will allow the potential development of this species in the biological control of several pests and fungal diseases.
... Although several strategies have been tested to prevent spoilage of stored products by insect pests, including employing the fumigant and repellent activities of a range of insecticides, the application of fumigants, such as essential oils, is perhaps the most cost-effective tool for managing stored-grain insect pests (Ben Jemâa et al. 2012). Furthermore, the application of essential oils may be compatible with the use of natural enemies for additional control (Titouhi et al. 2017). Accordingly, the use of essential oils with appropriate formulations could form part of an IPM strategy, with the advantages of being efficacious, safe, and cost-effective. ...
The objective of this study was to test the use of plant volatiles as a simple, safe and effective technology for postharvest insect pest control. Specifically, the fumigant action of the three local plant essential oils, namely Cinnamomum sp. (Lauraceae), Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae), and Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), were tested against Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which has recently become a major pest of dry beans in Egypt. To test the efficacy of each oil, 7 μl was added to a piece of filter paper at various concentrations (4–11 %) and then placed inside a perforated gelatin capsule. This technique was used to eliminate direct contact between the volatile oils and stored beans (to avoid any adverse effects to beans). At 48 h post-treatment, adult insect mortality was significantly increased for all tested oils relative to the untreated control. Based on probit analysis at 48 h post-treatment, the Cinnamomum sp. essential oil was the most effective (LC50 = 4.55 %; 4.23–4.89 %). Eucalyptus sp. (LC50 = 7.47 %; 7.15–7.80 %) and S. officinalis (LC50 = 7.57 %; 7.20–7.96 %) had similar but lower efficacies. The main component in Cinnamomum sp. oil was (E)-cinnamaldehyde (a phenylpropene), while in Eucalyptus sp. oil it was 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), and in S. officinalis oil they were eucalyptol and camphor (terpenoids). The fumigant activity of the tested oils is attributable to their richness in volatile phenylpropene and terpenoids. The gelatin capsule is a simple yet effective technique that could be used in integrated pest management programmes for postharvest treatments, but further testing is required, especially in small-to-medium storage environments.
... The cowpea bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) is reported as major insect pest species of stored food legumes throughout the world (Sanon et al. 2001, Titouhi et al. 2017). The pest can cause up to 100% lost cowpea seed stored within a few months (Kang et al. 2014). ...
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an important crop as a source of basic protein for populations in tropical countries, generating profit after the processing and storage of grains. However, the attack of pests such as cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) can limit the production of cowpea, with the insect causing qualitative and quantitative losses to the grains. Its control is commonly performed with fumigant phosphine, which due to its almost exclusive use, has selected resistant populations of insects, causing control failure. This way, the present research aimed to investigate the effects of essential oils of Betula lenta, Cinnamomum cassia, Citrus aurantium var. Amara and Acorus calamus in the treatment of cowpea grains [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] under storage conditions, for the management of Callosobruchus maculatus. The effects of essential oils were investigated through contact, fumigation, and repellency tests. The LC50 found in the test of contact was 0.61; 0.63; 0.64 and 22.98 μL/20 g of beans for the oils of A. calamus, B. lenta, C. cassia, and C. auratium var. Amara, respectively. Based on the data, the number of eggs and insects that emerged decreased as the concentration of essential oils increased. The LC50 values in the fumigation test were estimated at 5.16; 8.24; 25.84 and 35.31 μL/L of air for A oils. calamus, B. lenta, C. auratium var. Amara and C. cassia, respectively. In the repellency test, all oils acted like antagonists to C. maculatus biology, but the latter presented deterrence against the oviposition and the emergence of adults in most concentrations. These findings indicate that essential oils can be used to manage C. maculatus.
... Bruchus rufimanus [21]. Therefore, A. campestris is suitable for preserving food since it can help to extend the shelf life and to prevent various food products from spoilage. ...
Active food packaging films based on chitosan and enriched with Artemisia campestris hydroalcoholic extract (ACHE), aqueous extract (ACAE) and essential oil (ACEO) were developed. The effects of incorporating A. campestris were investigated on the physical, mechanical, thermal and antioxidant characteristics of the films. The structural properties of the films were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that adding ACHE and ACEO improved the water resistance of chitosan films. The FTIR spectroscopy analysis revealed covalent interaction and hydrogen bonding between chitosan and ACHE. The XRD and SEM analyses indicated that interactions occurred between the film matrix and A. campestris active compounds, which could be reflected by the physical and mechanical properties of composite films. Incorporating ACHE and ACAE in the chitosan matrix decreased the tensile strength. The film extensibility was reduced when ACHE and ACEO were added. All films exhibited great thermal stability as the degradation occurred above 300 °C. The addition of A. campestris active compounds, particularly extracts, to chitosan films notably increased the antioxidant and UV–Vis barrier properties. Chitosan films enriched with the A. campestris antioxidant compounds could be applied as food packaging alternatives.
... The problems of resistance and harmfulness of synthetic insecticides have led to the need to find more effective and healthier alternatives. Thus, essential oils are the most tested products at present [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Plant secondary natural products are natural chemicals extracted from plants and used as an excellent alternative to synthetic or chemical pesticides [13,14]. ...
In order to develop a strategy for the safe management of insect pests in stored agricultural commodities, Anserine (Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.)) essential oil was tested against Cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) raised on seeds of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) at 20–30°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity in storage conditions. The essential oil extracted from Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) was analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The chromatogram of the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) contains 13 compounds of which α-Terpinene is the majority constituent with a percentage of 61.04%. The results obtained have shown that the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioïdes (L.) has repellent and toxic effects on Callosobruchus maculatus. It causes a high mortality rate in adults and affects its fecundity, fertility and success rate in a very significant way compared to controls.
... Similar results were obtained for controlling aphids [54,55] and some other insect pests [56][57][58] using plant-derived essential oils along with protecting their predators. However, the destructive side-effects of some essential oils on parasitoids have been reported [59][60][61]. Therefore, it is important to select efficient pesticides with lower side effects on natural enemies at operative concentrations to the pests, which has been achieved in the current study. ...
The use of chemical insecticides has had several side-effects, such as environmental contamination, foodborne residues, and human health threats. The utilization of plant-derived essential oils as efficient bio-rational agents has been acknowledged in pest management strategies. In the present study, the fumigant toxicity of essential oil isolated from Satureja intermedia was assessed against cosmopolitan stored-product insect pests: Trogoderma granarium Everts (khapra beetle), Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (lesser grain borer), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (red flour beetle), and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (saw-toothed grain beetle). The essential oil had significant fumigant toxicity against tested insects, which positively depended on essential oil concentrations and the exposure times. Comparative contact toxicity of S. intermedia essential oil was measured against Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe (oleander aphid) and its predator Coccinella septempunctata L. (seven-spot ladybird). Adult females of A. nerii were more susceptible to the contact toxicity than the C. septempunctata adults. The dominant compounds in the essential oil of S. intermedia were thymol (48.1%), carvacrol (11.8%), p-cymene (8.1%), and γ-terpinene (8.1%). The high fumigant toxicity against four major stored-product insect pests, the significant aphidicidal effect on A. nerii, and relative safety to the general predator C. septempunctata make terpene-rich S. intermedia essential oil a potential candidate for use as a plant-based alternative to the detrimental synthetic insecticides.
... Titouhi et al., evaluated the sublethal effect of essential oils of Artemisia herba-alba Asso., (Asteraceae) and Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae) on Bruchus rufimanus (Boheman) Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), presenting an adult emergency rate between 0.3 to 0.7%. This result may be related to the major components present in essential oils belonging to different groups [23] . The mixtures (Thymol+Camphora; Thymol+Campheno; Limomeno+Terpineol; Limonene+ β pinene; Limonene+Eucalyptol; ...
Tuta absoluta is one of the most destructive pests of tomatoes. Chemical insecticides used to control this leafminer harm all organisms, increasing the risk to public health and the environment. Developing natural alternatives, such as bioinsecticides formulated from essential plant oils, is a key strategy to address this problem. These volatile compounds, derived from the secondary metabolic pathways of plants, exhibit targeted activity against specific pest species. Their use is consistent with an environmentally responsible framework that reduces adverse impacts on ecosystems, protects non-target organisms, safeguards human health, and enhances the efficacy of integrated crop management systems. This study aims to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of from round leaf mint (Mentha rotundifolia) and crown chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium) and to evaluate their toxicity to T. absoluta larvae in-vitro. The chemical composition of EOs obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of the plants was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Indeed, 77 volatile compounds representing 98.19% of the total oil of M. rotundifolia, including cyclobutane acetonitrile, 1-methyl-2-(1-methyl ethenyl)-, terpinene-4-ol, p-menthane, germacrene D, caryophyllene and myrcene, were the main compounds. However, farnesene, myrcene, eugenol, germacrene D, phytol, and pinene were significant components among 69 compounds representing 95.39% of the total oil of C. coronarium. Results showed that the EOs were toxic to the different larval stages. According to the Finney method, concentrations 2.88 and 1.07% are the LC50 of M. rotundifolia and C. coronarium oils, which induce 50% mortality of T. absoluta within 7 days of exposure. Statistical analysis of in-vitro tests showed that both EOs had a similar level of insecticidal efficacy by contact. The overall results showed that the oils used have been shown to have an important insecticidal effect and can be used as a source of biological and natural treatment against tomato leafminer (TLM).
The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major insect pest of vegetables such as okra. While synthetic insecticides are vastly used to control aphis, extravagant application has led to resistance of insects and poses side effects on the predators. Consequently, essential oils (EOs) are the most effective, promising alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Field and lab experiments were therefore performed to study the impacts of some essential oils on aphids and their natural enemies. The essential oils (EOs) were ginger (Zingiber officinale), rosemary, (Salvia rosmarinus), basil, (Ocimum basilicum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Simmondsia chinensis against Aphis gossypii and adult of the eleven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella undecimpunctata. All essential oils were tested at concentrations of 1%, 3%, 5% in the field and 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5% in the laboratory. The results revealed that rosemary oil is considered the most potent oil among all tested oils against A. gossypii. Whereas clove oil is considered the least effective among the oils tested under the laboratory and field against A. gossypii. While ginger oil was the least toxic oil against C. undecimpunctata. These essential oils gave promising sources in controlling aphids and selectivity on C. undecimpunctata. through the results of this study, natural oils can be used to control aphids.
Modelling the thermal response of insect pests is a valuable tool for predicting the stage development of the population, supporting the formulation of more sustainable and effective control strategies. This study focuses on Bruchus rufimanus, a specific pest of Vicia faba L. responsible for damages caused by larvae that develop inside the seeds. In particular, it tackled the thermal development modelling of this pest in a two-fold approach, given the current lack of information on the cryptic post embryonic development in terms of degree-days. Baseline data
were collected by laboratory rearing that considered the insect reproductive diapause and proposed first insights for developing a protocol to rear this pest under controlled conditions. ubsequently, various models were evaluated to describe the effect of different constant temperatures on the embryonic and total development. The effect of temperature on the sex ratio of the next generation was also investigated. The most accurate model for the description of both embryonic and total evelopment was the Briere-2 model. The temperature thresholds
obtained for eggs and total pest developments were 8.2 ± 0.5 ◦C and 12 ◦C respectively. Cumulative degree-day requirements were 83◦ -days for eggs and ranged from 550 to 740◦-days for total development. Temperature had no effect on sex ratio. These findings provided a better understanding of the annual evelopment of this pest and might support the future formulation of IPM strategies to control B. rufimanus.
The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is a serious pest of stored chickpea seed and distributed worldwide. Synthetic insecticides and fumigants are random practices against this pest but with serious drawbacks. The larval-pupal parasitoid Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) has been successfully used to control C. chinensis as an alternative. Hosts (C. chinensis) were cultured in the laboratory in confined conditions (30 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 10% RH) till (12–15 days) to get optimal size for parasitism. The bio-control efficacy was studied at 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C with three parasitoid density pairs i.e. 2, 4 and 6. The number of emerged parasitoids, parasitism and suppression rates were studied. The parasitism and suppression rate of the parasitoid increased with increasing temperature and parasitoid densities except 35 °C. The highest parasitism (98.55%) and suppression (98.43%) by D. basalis on C. chinensis populations were observed at 30 °C with six pairs of the released parasitoids. Conversely, the lowest parasitism (77.34%) and suppression (74.35%) were observed for two pair parasitoid densities at 25 °C. Therefore, 30 °C temperature and maximum D. basalis density have potential to suppress C. chinensis populations.
Broad bean weevils (BBWs-Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are serious pests of field bean seeds that hamper the promotion of this crop in the diversification of European cropping systems. Recent research has identified different semiochemical lures and trap devices for the development of semiochemical-based control strategies of BBWs. In this study, two field trials were carried out in order to provide necessary information supporting the implementation of sustainable field use of semiochemical traps against BBWs. More particularly, three principal objectives were followed including (i) the identification of the most efficient traps for BBWs capture and the influence of trapping modality on BBWs sex-ratio, (ii) the assessment of eventual collateral effects on crop benefits including aphidophagous and pollinator insects such as Apidae, Syrphidae and Coccinellidae, (iii) the assessment of the crop developmental stage influence on the capture by semiochemical traps. Three different semiochemical lures were tested in combination with two trapping devices across two field trials in early and late flowering field bean crops. The crop phenology and climate parameters were integrated into the analyses to interpret the spatiotemporal evolution of the captured insect populations. A total of 1380 BBWs and 1424 beneficials were captured. White pan traps combined with floral kairomones were the most efficient traps for the capture of BBWs. We demonstrated that the crop phenology (c.f., the flowering stage) exerted strong competition on the attractiveness of semiochemical traps. Community analysis revealed that only one species of BBWs was captured in field bean crops (i.e., Bruchus rufimanus), and no trend was highlighted concerning the sex ratios according to the trapping devices. The beneficial insect community included 67 different species belonging to bees, hoverflies and ladybeetles. Semiochemical traps manifested a strong impact on beneficial insect communities that included some species under extinction threats and need to be further adapted to minimize such collateral effects. Based on these results, recommendations are provided for the implementation of the most sustainable BBWs control method that minimizes the impact on the recruitment of beneficial insects, which is an important ecosystem service for faba bean crops.
Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) is considered as the most harmful pulse beetle attacking stored grains. Since synthetic pesticides have numerous disadvantages to human health and to the environment, essential oils (EOs) as a natural alternative can provide great efficiency against this pest. This review provides an outlook on pub-
lished research and reports about the use of EOs against C. maculatus. The physiological aspects of C. maculatus, its life cycle and the grains host of this species were discussed. Moreover, the mechanism of action of EOs and the methods used to evaluate their insecticidal effect were also highlighted in this review. Medicinal plants have been used for their insecticidal activity and for pests’ management since ancient times, and nicotine was reported as the first insecticide from plants. The results revealed that the EOs from 121 species belonging to 26 family possess insecticidal effects against C. maculatus, with Lamiaceae (30 species) and Asteraceae (22 species) as the most representative. The major EOs constituents reported in this review, are mostly from terpenoids and ses-quiterpenoids classes. Inhalation/fumigant toxicity, contact toxicity and repellency test were the most frequent methods used for the insecticidal activity. EOs have an inhibitory action on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a role in the modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and an effect on octopaminergic receptors as main modes of actions
The varied carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci (L.), is a major pest in museums containing artifacts or specimens of animal origin, e.g., natural science collections. Integrated pest management techniques are deployed to prevent A. verbasci access and controlling the pest should they be found on valuable artifacts. Several synthetic chemicals have been used in the past in the fight against A. verbasci and other insect pest species but the use of these chemicals (such as naphthalene and dichlorvos) is now banned following health concerns. Attention is turning towards natural compounds in the search for natural, safe alternatives. As well as having active ingredients against adult A. verbasci, it is also essential that any useful products found fall within museum budgets. Here we examine the repellent properties of four 'off-the-shelf' essential oils: clove, lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus. All four essential oils exhibited some repellent property, but A. verbasci found lavender and eucalyptus oils the most repellent, offering the possibility that some easy to obtain and inexpensive natural products might have a role to play in museum IPM.
In recent times, the interest in healthy foods reconsideration is rising again. Issues related to food protection and preservation for quality and safety improvements as well as longer shelf-life of products are of global concern. Additionally, the concern on hazards associated with pesticides use on human health and the environment is growing. Thus, actions targeting the investigation of potentially low-risk active substances and natural compounds for food conservation are needed. In this context, plant extracts including essential oils (EOs) have been recognized as important natural sources of pesticides with widespread range of activities. However, EOs are volatile, poorly soluble in water, and susceptible to degradation and oxidation. Therefore, essential oil encapsulation in delivery systems made of natural components seems to be a possible solution to overcome these restrictions. This review focuses on the insecticidal potential of encapsulated and free forms of EOs with particular emphasis on the types and characteristics of encapsulation systems loading natural insecticides.
In this study, the Chemical composition and bio-efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from Anethum graveolens, Thymus vulgaris, and Myristica fragrans were assessed. Seventeen, forty-five and twenty-nine compounds were identified in A. graveolens, T. vulgaris, and M. fragrans, respectively by GC-MS analysis. Dillapiole (44.01 %), D-Limonene (19.47 %), and carvotanacetone (13.03 %) in A. graveolen EO; estragole (15.30 %), γ-terpinene (14.49 %), and thymol (10.80 %) in T. vulgaris EO; safrole (14.93 %), α-terpinolene (14.65 %), and elemicin (14.62 %), in M. fragrans EO, were the main compounds. The bio-efficacy of these essential oils was tested against adults of major insect pests namely Callosobruchus maculatus using fumigant toxicity and biological parameters. Results revealed that the A. graveolens EO was the most toxic oil against C. maculatus adults with LC50 and LC90 values of 10.1 and 25.5 μl/l air, respectively after exposure for 24 h. EO of A. graveolens killed C. maculatus adults faster than T. vulgaris and M. fragrans. A. graveolens and T. vulgaris showed the highest effect on biological parameters of oviposition. This study suggests that EO from A. graveolens could be potentially using in IPM programs for suppressing this pest in infesting cowpea seeds.
Seeds are affected by majority of insects throughout the crop age. The majority of insect pests causing losses to seeds belong to order Coleoptera along with some species of Lepidoptera, Psocoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera. Apart from this, some mites species (class Acari) are also associated with seed. However few mites are beneficial insects and called as biocontrol agents. Hence, in order to develop and implement seed inset pest (SIP) management programs, knowing pests and beneficial insects is important. Generally, the integrated pest management (IPM) is a systemic approach in which different control measures act together to suppress economic control of pests. Consequently, the present chapter provides an overview of the important SIP, and then, the different SIP control methods are mentioned to choose them for an integrated SIP management program. Accordingly, different control strategies are used in the management of the SIP including resistant plant varieties, healthy seeds, sanitation and exclusion, seed treatment (using chemical and botanical pesticides), physical treatments (aeration, extreme temperatures and relative humidity, impact and removal, ionizing radiation, modified atmospheres), biological control, mating disruption, trapping, and packaging, and sealing will be discussed. Based on the conditions and available facilities, an appropriate control method or integration of several control measures could be selected in the SIP control programs.
The control of storage insect pests is largely based on synthetic pesticides. However, due to fast growing resistance in the targeted insects, negative impact on humans and non-target organisms as well as the environment, there is an urgent need to search some safer alternatives of these xenobiotics. Many essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive compounds have received particular attention for application as botanical pesticides, since they exhibited high insecticidal efficacy, diverse mode of action, and favourable safety profiles on mammalian system as well as to the non-target organisms. Data collected from scientific articles show that these EOs and their bioactive compounds exhibited insecticidal activity via fumigant, contact, repellent, antifeedant, ovicidal, oviposition deterrent and larvicidal activity, and by inhibiting/altering important neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and octopamine or neurotransmitter inhibitor γ-amino butyric acid (GABA), as well as by altering the enzymatic [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidases (POx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR)] and non-enzymatic [glutathione (GSH)] antioxidant defence systems. However, in spite of promising pesticidal efficacy against storage pests, the practical application of EOs and their bioactive compounds in real food systems remain rather limited because of their high volatility, poor water solubility and susceptibility towards degradation. Nanoencapsulation/nanoemulsion of EOs is currently considered as a promising tool that improved water solubility, enhanced bio-efficacy, stability and controlled release, thereby expanding their applicability.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Jasmine Jasminum grandiflorum (Fam. Oleaceae), Basil Ocimum basilicum Var, (Fam. Lamiaceae), and Tagetes minuta (Fam. Asteraceae) are economical plants in Egypt that can resist insect infections, which may be related to its oils. Three types of geranium essential oils (geranium oil, geranium absolute and geranium stripping oil) were extracted with three different methods (steam distillation, solvent extraction, and hydrodistillation, respectively). Seven types of crude essential oils, three natural components (linalool, citronellol, and geraniol), and synthetic counterparts of two of these components (linalool and citronellol) were evaluated against Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica adults through evaluating their repellency, fumigation, contact and effect on progeny. The seven types of crude essential oils were analyzed by Gas Chromatography/mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Chromatographic analysis of the geranium essential oils demonstrated that citronellol is the main constituent, accounting 29.70%, 31.80% and 18.30% of geranium oil, geranium stripping oil and geranium absolute, respectively. Acetic acid was the main component in Jasmine absolute with 15.951%, while linalool was the main component for basil oil and basil absolute with 54.80% and 46.345% respectively, for tagette oil dihydrotagetone was the main component with 28.85%. Geranium oil, geranium absolute and geranium stripping oil had the highest repellent activity against T. castaneum. In contrast, all tested crude essential oils had 100% repellency against R. dominica except basil absolute had 92.5% repellency. Furthermore, natural linalool had the strongest fumigant effect on T. castaneum among the oil components, while citronellol had the strongest effect on R. dominica, and the oil components had stronger fumigant effects than the crude essential oils.
The fumigation activity showed the same trend as repellency against the two tested insects. Based on the LC50, the oil components have a stronger effect than the crude essential oils. Finally, T. castaneum was more tolerant than R. dominica to all tested materials. All geranium oils had no effect on T. castaneum for contact toxicity while geranium stripping oil had the strongest effect on R. dominica with the level of 63.1 mg/kg. All tested essential oils had reduction effect on both tested insects. The method of extraction effects on the chemical composition of essential oils produced from the same plant, all tested crude essential oils and its components (natural and synthetic) can be used as safe pesticide alternatives for stored product insects, geranium stripping oil is a new crude oil can increase the national income instead of losing it in waste water.
Growth regulators are rather important for obtaining high yields of agricultural crops. Recently, more and more research on biologically active substances has been carried out among natural products, in particular, essential oils of plants. Our study is aimed at the search for winter wheat growth regulators among essential oils. In three-year field small-plot experiments, the growth-regulating activity of anise, fenchel and apricot oils was studied. When we treated the vegetating plants with the water emulsions of the above mentioned oils (dose – 30 g/ha) twice in the tillering and the flag leaf phases, the yield increase of Grom winter wheat variety was 8.6–10.8 %. The quality of seeds also improved: the protein content increased by 0.6-1.1 %, gluten by 1.8-2.7 %.
Insect pests affecting standing and stored crops can cause severe damage and reduce yields considerably. Was this also the case in Neolithic Europe? Did early farming populations take a certain amount of harvest loss into account? Did they decide to change crops or rotate them when they became too infested? Did they obtain new crops from neighbouring communities as part of this process? Or did they actively fight against pests? This paper focuses on pulse crop pests, presenting the earliest evidence of fava beans displaying boreholes and of the presence of pea weevil in two different archaeological sites: Can Sadurní (in a phase dated to ca. 4800-4500 cal BC), located in the NE Iberian Peninsula and Zürich-Parkhaus Opéra (in a phase dated to ca. 3160 BC), located in Central Switzerland. Evidence suggests that early farmers were aware of the damages produced by pests and we propose different strategies for their management, including potential evidence for the use of repellent or trap plants in the plots.
Insecticidal activity of Eucalyptus essential oil against C. maculatus
The importance of biomass as a source of chemicals, biofuels, and energy is widely accepted. Currently, the attention is mainly focused on the valorisation of by-products from lignocellulosic materials. Chemical compounds derived from plants and microorganisms that provide good protection for crops against weeds, pests, and diseases (biopesticide active substances) have been used to formulate pesticides. Their use is increasingly encouraged by new pesticide regulations that discourage the use of harmful active substances. This article reviews the current and future situation of biopesticides, especially natural chemical products, and focuses on their potential within the European pesticide legislative framework. Moreover, this article highlights the importance of the different modes/mechanisms of action of the active substances obtained from natural sources, the role of chemistry in biopesticide development, and how the adoption of integrated pest management practices contributes to a greater trend towards biopesticides.
Natural products are excellent alternative to synthetic pesticides due to their reduced harmful impacts
on human health and environment. Pesticides based on plant essential oils or their constituents have
demonstrated efficacy against a range of pests and pre- and postharvest diseases. In this study, the
pesticide potentiality of the essential oils from the absinthe wormwood Artemisia absinthium
(Asteraceae) was investigated against two insect pests i.e. Rhyzopertha dominica and Spodoptera
littoralis. Essential oil of the aerial parts was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analyzed by GC–
MS in order to determine its chemical composition. The major components identified were: camphor
(24.81%), camazulene (13.17%), bronylacetate (5.89%), and myrcene (5.83%). The essential oil of A.
absinthium exhibited strong fumigant toxicity against R. dominica adults, a stored product pest, with a
LC50 value of 18.23 µl/l air and LC90 value of 41.74 µl/l air. The wormwood essential oil showed high
fumigant activity against S. littoralis, one of the most dangerous pests of protected crops, with a LC50
value of 10.59 µl/l air and a LC90 value of 17.12 µl/l air.
A survey of Coleopteran pest and beneficial insects was conducted on faba bean fields during 2013-
2014 cropping season in two main regions of leguminous production in north Tunisia. Scouting for
insects was carried out by beating the plants vigorously into a white plastic container or by using
sweep net. 8 families, 11 pest species and 6 predators were identified. Only Sitona lineatus and
Bruchus rufimanus appeared to be main pest insects and they were relatively more abundant in both
regions. B. rufimanus populations showed seasonal dynamics and adult activity started in faba bean
fields in late February. Adult population density reached its highest percentage at the fructification
period in mid-April. Significant harmful effects on seed germination, seed weight and infestation were
recorded. Broad bean (Chahbi variety) seemed to be more damaged. Incidence of B. rufimanus attacks
was greater on broad bean than on field bean. Reductions of the percentage of germination were 32.6
and 26.76% for Chahbi and Bachaar varieties respectively. Moreover, weight loss for Chahbi and
Bachaar varieties were 7.33 and 9.37%, respectively. Additionally, the percentage of infested seeds was
lower for Bachaar variety (25%) than for Chahbi variety (37%). Based on this study, the development of
appropriate control strategy against faba bean infesting pests, mainly B. rufimanus is required. This will
promote new view on the existing and potential control methods by the development of new selective
chemicals, screening for new biocontrol agents and the design of new management strategies.
Total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols and flavanols of the methanolic extract of the aerial part of A. herba-alba were determined. The extract was analyzed by LC-PAD/ESI-MS and allowed to identify of 10 phenolic compounds. Apigenin-6-C-glycosyl flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids were identified. Chlorogenic acid and 1,4 dicaffeoylquinic acid being the major constituents. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was analysed by GC-MS. Twenty three compounds, representing 97.8% of the total oil, were identified. The most abundant components were β-thujone (41.9%), α-thujone (18.4%) and camphor (13.2%). Methanolic extract and essential oil exhibited a considerable antioxidant activity as evaluated by DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power, β-carotene bleaching test and chelating ability. The methanolic extract was found to be more efficient, while the essential oil exhibited the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Analysis of the antibacterial activity showed that A. herba-alba methanolic extract and essential oil are efficient against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
This work aims to investigate for the first time the susceptibility of six Tunisian broad bean varieties:
two large seeded varieties i.e. Chahbi and Mamdouh and four small seeded varieties namely Chourouk,
Bachaar, Najeh and Badï, to natural field injuries caused by the broad bean weevil Bruchus rufimanus
in the region of Béja. Results showed that the large seeded varieties appeared to be more infested than
field ones. The infestation rates were 37 and 37.5% for Chahbi and Mamdouh, respectively, while for
the small seeded varieties, infestations ranged between 29.5 and 6.5% with Badï as the less infested
variety. Moreover, seed germination was considerably affected by B. rufimanus. Significant differences
were observed between infested and non-infested seeds for all varieties. The highest germination
reduction was obtained with Mamdouh variety with a rate of 32.98% whereas the lowest value was
achieved with Chourouk variety (10.2%). In addition, results indicated that B. rufimanus larvae
feedings produced significant loss in broad bean seeds weight for all studied varieties. The highest
weight loss was observed for small seeded varieties Najeh and Bachaar with weight reduction of 9.67
and 9.37%, respectively.
The objective of this study was to review the published research works on control strategies of stored product pests. Also, to shed light on alternative environmentally friendly methods to protect stored products from pests attack for healthy food safe. The most promising technique that has been developed and continues to be refined, is monitoring populations with insect pheromones and/or food attractants for detecting stored-product insects. Visual and secondary olfactory cues may be necessary for increased the catch of insects in traps. Near Infrared Spectroscopy was used for the classification of insect species, detection of internal insect pests of wheat (infested or uninfested wheat kernels) and distinguishing between unparasitized weevil larvae in wheat and those parasitized by wasps. It may be possible to use electronic nose systems to try and distinguish between grain colonized by mycotoxigenic and non-mycotoxigenic species and this area needs further investigation. The main advantage of using inert dusts is that they are non-toxic to humans and animals. Inert dusts in stored grain can provide continuous protection from insect infestations and do not affect the baking quality of wheat. Ozone is safe to the environment when used for fumigation. Active research is going on to exploit ozone as a potential quarantine treatment for controlling stored-product pests. Natural compounds from plant sources may have the advantage over conventional fumigants in terms of low mammalian toxicity (not true in all cases), rapid degradation and local availability. Compounds of plant origin can be used only for small-scale applications or for space treatments. Validation studies will be necessary to fully determine the potential for biological controls as replacements for insecticidal protectants, Good hygiene in the grain store or storage depot is important in maintaining grain and seed quality. Computer-based decision support systems that use biological and environmental data to predict population trends and evaluate the need for insecticidal inputs have been developed for stored-product storage systems in several countries. As more of these expert systems are developed management decisions may shift to computer-based pest management.
The aim of this study was to determine the chemical variability of wormwood extracts as affected by the growing region. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were also investigated. The essential oil composition variability of A. absinthium L. aerial parts collected from four different Tunisian regions was assessed by gas chromatography (GC/FID) and by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In addition, total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of methanolic extract and essential oils were undertaken. Chromatographic analysis of wormwood essential oils showed the predominance of monoterpene hydrocarbons represented mainly by chamazulene. RP-HPLC analysis of wormwood methanolic extract revealed the predominance of phenolic acids. Antiradical activity was region-dependant and the methanolic extract of Bou Salem region has the strongest activity (CI 50 = 9.38 ± 0.82 í µí¼g/mL). Concerning the reducing power, the methanolic extract of Bou Salem, Jérissa , and Boukornine regions was more active than the positive control. Obtained results of antimicrobial activities showed that wormwood essential oil is endowed with important antibacterial activity which was strongly related to the organoleptic quality of oil which appeared strongly region-dependant. A. absinthium L. EOs investigated are quite interesting from a pharmaceutical standpoint because of their biological activities.
Abstract
Essential oils from medicinal and aromatic plants are known as a source of secondary metabolites. They act as antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antiviral and anti-insect agents. In addition, essential oils of several species have been recently qualified as replacement alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Tunisia is located in the Mediterranean basin area, a temperate zone characterized by the greatest diversity on the planet since we find around 25,000 species and a very high percentage of these are endemic. The present mini-review comprises an investigation on major and predominant bioactive components and insecticidal potential of various species of Eucalyptus and Artemisia grown in Tunisia.
The aim of this mini-review is to bring together most of the available scientific research in Tunisia conducted on insecticidal potential of the genera Eucalyptus and Artemisia, which is currently documented across various publications. Through this mini-review, I hope to attract the attention on the most bioactive essential oils as asource of bioactive constituents.
This review has been compiled using references from major work on essential oil and their bioactive components against Tunisian strains of major stored product insect pests.
Results revealed that the different species either from Eucalyptus or Artemisia genera have a vast range of insecticidal activities including fumigant, contact and repellent effects. Some very important components have been discovered from these genera, notably 1,8 cineole, and α-pinene from Eucalyptus and β-thujone and
Camphor from Artemisia.
Various species of Eucalyptus and Artemisia seems to hold great potential for in-depth investigation for various insecticidal activities, especially their effects on the stored product insect pest
Abstract Studies on the protective effect of botanical products against pest insects have infrequently been extended to side-effects on natural enemies. Indirect effects of botanicals on the storability of seeds could occur through their possible negative impact on biological control agents. Four plant powders and six plant oils with a known effect on the cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabr.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) were investigated for their effect on the beetles’ egg parasitoid Uscana lariophaga (Steffan) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and the larval parasitoid Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). All treatments caused a decrease in parasitisation by U. lariophaga, and developing parasitoids of this species were affected by powders of Nicotiana tabacum (L.) and Tephrosia vogelii (Hook. f). In a two-choice situation using a linear olfactometer, U. lariophaga was repelled by most of the oils. In a no-choice situation, parasitisation by D. basalis was hampered by treatment with plant powders, but eggs that were laid developed normally. In a Y-tube olfactometer, this parasitoid did not discriminate between odours of untreated and plant-powder-treated beans. The powders of N. tabacum and T. vogelii had stronger negative effects on the two parasitoids than the powders of Azadirachta indica (Juss.) or Blumea aurita (DC). In samples collected from untreated traditional storage facilities, subsequently treated with plant powders in the laboratory, none of the treatments could prevent the increase in beetle numbers. At 24 days after treatment, most beetles had emerged from beans treated with powders of N. tabacum and T. vogelii. Parasitoids were affected by the botanical insecticides tested here, but the powders of A. indica and B. aurita may be compatible with biological control by D. basalis.
Na busca de alternativas ao controle químico do caruncho Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera:Bruchidae), avaliou-se, em feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), o efeito de três genótipos, cv. Carioca e duas linhagens contendo a proteína arcelina (Arc1 e Arc3), e da adição nos grãos armazenados de óleo de soja (Glycine max Merrill); óleo de nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), munha (resíduo de trilha da colheita), calcário dolomítico e terra de formigueiro, comparativamente aos grãos não tratados e ao controle químico com malathion 500 CE. O experimento foi realizado no laboratório da Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Arroz e Feijão, localizado no Município de Santo Antônio de Goiás, GO, em condições não controladas. Na linhagem Arc1, constatou-se maior proteção aos danos do caruncho, observando-se redução do número de ovos e de adultos emergidos e da porcentagem de sementes danificadas em relação à Arc3 e à cv. Carioca. Quando os grãos foram tratados com malathion, óleo de nim e óleo de soja, observou-se menor número de ovos e de adultos emergidos e redução de danos, e não houve diferença na porcentagem de sementes danificadas entre o malathion e o óleo de nim. A mistura das sementes com terra de formigueiro conferiu baixa proteção ao caruncho, enquanto os tratamentos com munha e calcário dolomítico não apresentaram eficiência na redução da progênie e dos danos de Z. subfasciatus.
The leaf oil isolated by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae) collected from four areas of the south of Tunisia (Bengardane, Benikhdache, Jerba and Tataouine) at three periods of the year 1998 (April, August and November) have been analyzed by GC and GC/MS. β-Pinene (24.0–49.8%) was found to be the main component of this oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were shown to be the major fraction (58.8–88.6%), and mainly composed of β-pinene (24.0–49.8%), α-pinene (5.9–12.5%), p-cymene (3.4–9.4%), limonene (4.9–9.3%), (Z)-β-ocimene (0.2–5.5%) and γ-terpinene (2.0–6.5%). Oxygen-containing monoterpenes represented less than 10% of the total oil and was found to mainly contain geranyl propionate (1.6–4.4%), α-terpineol (0.6–2.2%) and terpinen-4-ol (0.7–1.9%). Sesquiterpenes ranged from 5.0% to 29.8%. γ-Muurolene (0.3–5.4%) and ω-cadinene (0.2–2.4%) were the major sesquiterpene hydrocarbons whereas spathulenol (1.2–8.9%) and β-eudesmol (1.0–6.4%) were the main oxygen-containing sesquiterpenes. Samples collected in November were found to be rich in sesquiterpene hydro-carbons (14.4–15.8%) while those collected in August were shown to contain the highest amount of monoterpene hydrocarbons (74.8–88.6%) and the lowest percentage of oxygen-containing components (7.2–18.1%). The variation of the oil composition among origins and periods was not uniform. For all areas, the highest yield of oil was obtained from samples collected in August (1.20%).
Exposure of freshly laid eggs of Earias vittella (F.) to volatiles from the essential oils of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.), peppermint (M.piperita L.), palmarosa (Cymhopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats) and citronella (C.winterianus Jowitt) for more than 24 h inhibited hatchability to varying degrees. This was, however, significant only in respect of the citronella and palmarosa oil vapour treatments when compared with the control. Less than 50% of larvae from eggs exposed to peppermint or citronella oil volatiles became adults. Male and female pupal weights of larvae that survived embryonic exposure to the volatiles of all the four essential oils were significantly lower than that of the untreated. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the possible role of the principal chemical constituents of these essential oils in regulating egg hatchability and developmental events in the biology of E. vittella.
The leaves of the three plants Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia Pontica have been collected in the region of Guigou and Errachidia (Morocco) and then dried in the open air for fifteen days and kept fresh for extraction. The essential oils have been extracted by hydrodistillation method and analysed by the chromatographic techniques in the gas phase (GC-FID) and chromatography in gas phase coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) so as to determine their chemical composition and identify their chemotype. The insecticide activity is tested by methods of classic biological tests; their insecticide power has been studied in vitro on insects: Acanthoscelides obtectus, responsible for green beans rot. The essential oils yields (ml/100mg of dried substances) were 0.59% for Artemisia herba-alba; 0.57% for Artemisia absinthium and 0.31% Artemisia Pontica. The principal constituent of the three plants essential oils was the α- thujone (42.25%) for Artemisia herba-alba, (39.69%) for Artemisia absinthium and (22.13%) for Artemisia Pontica. All the tested insects have proved sensitive to the essential oils of studied species. Conversely Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia absinthium have shown a very efficient insecticidal activity, confirmed by the poor amount of DL 50 obtained respectively 5.9 and 8.4 mg/g; these oils can be exploited for industrial purposes.
In West Africa Callosobruchus maculatus F. causes major losses during storage of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walper). The larvae of C. maculatus are parasitized inside the seeds by Dinarmus basalis (Rondani). African farmers introduce aromatic plants into storage systems at the beginning of the storage period that release toxic volatile compounds into the headspace of the stores. The susceptibility of C. maculatus and D. basalis to two plant sulphur-containing compounds, methylisothiocyanate (MITC) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), was analyzed under laboratory conditions. The adults of C. maculatus and D. basalis had the same susceptibility to MITC but the parasitoid was more susceptible to DMDS than its host. The larvae were less affected by the treatments than the adults; the seed coat acts as a barrier for volatile penetration. Susceptibility to DMDS was high when the C. maculatus larvae were extracted from the seeds. DMDS was more toxic than MITC and differences in penetration inside the seeds could explain these results. The higher susceptibility of D. basalis to the treatments could have consequences on biological control in storage systems. The presence or absence of leaves of the shrub Boscia senegalensis Lamarck (Capparaceae), which release MITC into the jar atmosphere could have an impact on numbers of C. maculatus and D. basalis. When D. basalis adults were put into the storage systems in the absence of B. senegalensis leaves, successive generations of the parasitoids maintained the C. maculatus population at a low density. In the presence of B. senegalensis leaves, the D. basalis population was more affected by the treatment than its host C. maculatus and was incapable of preventing the increase in bruchid population. This traditional method appears to increase seed weight losses by limiting the efficiency of the biological control.
The essential oil composition from the aerial parts of Artemisia campestris var. glutinosa Gay ex Bess and Artemisia herba-alba Asso (Asteraceae) of Tunisian origin has been studied by GC and GC/MS. The main constituents of the oil from A. campestris collected in Benguerdane (South of Tunisia) were found to be β-pinene (41.0%), p-cymene (9.9%), α-terpinene (7.9%), limonene (6.5%), myrcene (4.1%), β-phellandrene (3.4%) and a-pinene (3.2%). Whereas the oil from A. herba-alba collected in Tataouine (South of Tunisia) showed, pinocarvone (38.3%), a-copaene (12.18%), limonene (11.0%), isoamyl2-methylbutyrate (19.5%) as major compounds. The mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of the two oils were investigated by the Salmonella typhimurium/microsome assay, with and without addition of an extrinsic metabolic activation system. The oils showed no mutagenicity when tested with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA97. On the other hand, we showed that each oil had antimutagenic activity against the carcinogen Benzo (a) pyrene (B[a] P) when tested with TA97 and TA98 assay systems.
The solitary larval parasitoid Dinarmus basalis Rondani is a promising biological control of Callosobruchus maculatus F, a major insect pest of stored cowpeas in West Africa. Farmers traditionally introduce Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit. leaves in their granaries for protection of cowpea seeds against bruchid damage. However, effects of botanical treatment using this plant on host location behavior and reproduction of D. basalis remain unknown. Olfactometer studies showed that sublethal doses of volatiles emitted by the crushed leaves and the essential oils were repellent for naive females D. basalis, which had previously developed in the absence of H. suaveolens volatiles. These females were able to move in a three-dimensional device and to avoid the host patches associated with H. suaveolens volatiles. Their reproductive activity was consequently reduced in such patches. Females, which had been exposed to sublethal doses of H. suaveolens volatiles during their postembryonic development, were no longer repelled or only partially repelled by the plant volatiles. A habituation process may be involved in the behavior of these D. basalis females. The importance of this habituation process is discussed within the scope of the integrated protection of cowpea seeds during storage.
Plant secondary metabolites play an important role in plant-insect interactions and therefore such compounds may have insecticidal or biological activity against insects. In the present study, aerial parts of A. herba-alba Asso were subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and the chemical composition of the volatile oils was studied by GC-MS. β-thujone (35.66) was the main component of the essential oil. Insecticidal activity of the oil was evaluated against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). After 24 h exposure time, R. dominica (LC50= 76.48 µl/l air) was more susceptible and T. castaneum (LC50= 564.40 µl/l air) was more tolerant than other species. In general, mortality increased as the doses of essential oil and exposure time increased. These results suggested that A. herba-alba oil might have potential as a control agent against T. castaneum, C. maculatus, and especially R. dominica.
The susceptibility of C. maculatus and D. basalis to Jatropha seed oil was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The adults of C. maculatus and D. basalis had the same susceptibility to Jatropha seed oil but the parasitoid was relatively more susceptible than its host at all treatment levels. The oil was also repellent to C. maculatus but its persistency declined from 15 to 60 days in storage. The eggs of C. maculatus were comparatively more susceptible to the Jatropha seed oil than those of the parasitoid due to the protection afforded by the grain. However, the larvae and pupae of C. maculatus showed a relatively lower susceptibility to the oil. It is possible to incorporate the oil in a well designed pest management programme taking advantage of the short persistency of the oil on grains and its relatively ineffectiveness against the C. maculatus pupae developing inside the grain.
The intraspecific chemical variability of essential oils (50 samples) isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia herba-alba Asso growing wild in the arid zone of Southeastern Tunisia was investigated. Analysis by GC (RI) and GC/MS allowed the identification of 54 essential oil components. The main compounds were β-thujone and α-thujone, followed by 1,8-cineole, camphor, chrysanthenone, trans-sabinyl acetate, trans-pinocarveol, and borneol. Chemometric analysis (k-means clustering and PCA) led to the partitioning into three groups. The composition of two thirds of the samples was dominated by α-thujone or β-thujone. Therefore, it could be expected that wild plants of A. herba-alba randomly harvested in the area of Kirchaou and transplanted by local farmers for the cultivation in arid zones of Southern Tunisia produce an essential oil belonging to the α-thujone/β-thujone chemotype and containing also 1,8-cineole, camphor, and trans-sabinyl acetate at appreciable amounts.
Essential oils are complex mixtures of biologically active substances used since a long time as flavouring agents and constituents of number of commercial products. Currently, their importance is more highlighted due to their increasing demand for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Recent scientific literature revealed the antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant potential of essential oils. In view of the multiple applications of essential oils, their characterization based on their chemical profiles, is of great importance.In the present study, some indigenous species of Lamiaceae family were screened for the isolation of essential oils. The hydro-distilled essential oils were characterized for their physico-chemical and biological activities. . GC and GC-MS analysis of the chemical constituents of the isolated oils mainly revealed the presence of monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The investigated essential oils exhibited good antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities as measured by different in-vitro assays and experimental models. The variations in the yield, chemical composition and biological activities of most of the essential oils investigated in the present study, with respect to species and harvesting season, were significant.
Bruchid beetles cause high losses of stored legumes in the tropics. Chemical control is inappropriate for the small scale farmer and the use of alternative measures should be encouraged. Different biological methods of control such as cultural, physical, varietal, biological, biorational and genetic control are reviewed. Cultural control techniques such as timely and frequent harvesting, legumes planted away from granaries, crop hygiene and storage in pods, are within the technical and financial means of the small scale farmer. The use of inert substances, vegetable oils and repellent plants may be cheap and effective if properly managed. The use of controlled atmosphere, vacuum, heating, cooling and sterilizing, requires relatively advanced techniques. Growth regulators and pheromones are currently not available for control. Varieties resistant to bruchids have been identified, but incorporation of resistance into suitable varieties has proven to be difficult. Biological control of bruchids should receive more attention in particular research on the introduction and conservation of natural enemies. To effectively implement control measures at farmer's level socio-economic and cultural aspects should be taken into account. Proven appropriate techniques should be combined in an overall integrated pest management strategy.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the chemical variability of wormwood extracts as affected by the growing region. Antioxidant
and antimicrobial activities were also investigated. The essential oil composition variability of A. absinthium L. aerial parts
collected from four different Tunisian regions was assessed by gas chromatography (GC/FID) and by gas chromatography mass
spectrometry (GC/MS). In addition, total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and
antifungal activities of methanolic extract and essential oils were undertaken. Chromatographic analysis of wormwood essential oils
showed the predominance of monoterpene hydrocarbons represented mainly by chamazulene. RP-HPLC analysis of wormwood
methanolic extract revealed the predominance of phenolic acids. Antiradical activity was region-dependant and the methanolic
extract of Bou Salem region has the strongest activity (CI50 = 9.38 ± 0.82 𝜇g/mL). Concerning the reducing power, the methanolic
extract of Bou Salem, Jerissa, and Boukornine regions was more active than the positive control. Obtained results of antimicrobial ´
activities showed that wormwood essential oil is endowed with important antibacterial activity which was strongly related to the
organoleptic quality of oil which appeared strongly region-dependant. A. absinthium L. EOs investigated are quite interesting from
a pharmaceutical standpoint because of their biological activities