Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Chemical composition and insecticidal properties of essential oil from aerial parts of Mosla soochowensis against two grain storage insects

Xu-bo Chen, Rui Chen, Zheng-rong Luo

College of Ecology, Lishui University, No. 1 Xueyuan Road, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 323000, China;

For correspondence:- Zheng-rong Luo Email: extra@lsu.edu.cn Tel:+865782271308

Received: 19 August 2016 Accepted: 5 March 2017 Published: 30 April 2017

Citation: Chen X, Chen R, Luo Z. Chemical composition and insecticidal properties of essential oil from aerial parts of Mosla soochowensis against two grain storage insects. Trop J Pharm Res 2017; 16(4):905-910 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v16i4.23

© 2017 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To determine the insecticidal properties of essential oil from Mosla soochowensis aerial parts against two insect pests, Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum.

Methods: Hydro-distillation of M. soochowensis was used to extract the essential oil. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed, and the contact (topical application) and fumigant toxicity (sealed space) of the essential oil were evaluated.

Results: Thirty-nine chemical compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis of M. soochowensis essential oil. The major components are β-caryophyllene (12.82 %), spatulenol (6.34 %), β-eudesmol (6.26 %), carvone (6.12 %), α-thujone (5.12 %), γ-eudesmol (4.86 %), α-cedrol (4.23 %), and α-caryophyllene (4.04 %). The plant essential oil exerted contact toxicity against adults of S. zeamais and T. castaneum (median lethal concentration (LC₅₀), 25.45 and 10.23 µg/adult, respectively). Moreover, the essential oil exhibited pronounced fumigant toxicity towards adults of both species (LC₅₀ 12.19 and 10.26 mg/L air, respectively).

Conclusion: These results show that M. soochowensis essential oil can be used in development of safer and more natural and effective fumigants/insecticides for stored products

Keywords: Mosla soochowensis, Contact toxicity, Sitophilus zeamais, Fumigant, Insecticide, Essential oil, Tribolium castaneum