Botanical pesticides are considered the most promising alternative to synthetic pesticides, considering their less negative impacts on the environment and human health. Here, we analyzed the components of lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (EO) and evaluated its vapor activity against Reticulitermes flaviceps, in terms of the walking and gripping abilities of workers. In addition, the effects of lemongrass EO and its major component on the cuticular content and structure of chitin in termites were also observed. Our results indicate that cis-citral (36.51%) was the main constituent of lemongrass. In the vapor toxicity assay, the LC50 values of lemongrass EO and citral were 0.328 and 0.177 μL/L, respectively. When worker antennae were treated with lemongrass EO and citral, their walking and gripping capabilities were significantly inhibited. In addition, the cuticular content, thermal stability, and crystallinity of chitin in the termites were decreased after treatment with citral. Collectively, this study provides a basis for developing and utilizing lemongrass and citral as a new environment-friendly insecticide resource to control R. flaviceps.
The volatile metabolites of Salvia sclarea, Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus serpyllum, Mentha spicata, Melissa officinalis, Origanum majorana, Mentha piperita, Ocimum basilicum and Lavandula angustifolia were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The vapor insecticidal properties of the analyzed essential oils and their compounds were screened using Reticulitermes dabieshanensis workers. The most effective oils were S. sclarea (major constituent linalyl acetate, 65.93%), R. officinalis (1,8-cineole, 45.56%), T. serpyllum (thymol, 33.59%), M. spicata (carvone, 58.68%), M. officinalis (citronellal, 36.99%), O. majorana (1,8-cineole, 62.29%), M. piperita (menthol, 46.04%), O. basilicum (eugenol, 71.08%) and L. angustifolia (linalool, 39.58%), which exhibited LC50 values ranging from 0.036 to 1.670 μL/L. The lowest LC50 values were recorded for eugenol (0.060 μL/L), followed by thymol (0.062 μL/L), carvone (0.074 μL/L), menthol (0.242 μL/L), linalool (0.250 μL/L), citronellal (0.330 μL/L), linalyl acetate (0.712 μL/L) and 1,8-cineole (1.478 μL/L). The increased activity of esterases (ESTs) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were observed but only alongside the decreased activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in eight main components. Our results indicate that S. sclarea, R. officinalis, T. serpyllum, M. spicata, M. officinalis, O. marjorana, M. piperita, O. basilicum and L. angustifolia essential oils (EOs) and their compounds, linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, thymol, carvone, citronellal, menthol, eugenol and linalool could be developed as control agents against termites.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.