Acaricidal activity of Asarum heterotropoides root-derived compounds and hydrodistillate constitutes toward Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae)

Abstract

The acaricidal activity of Asarum heterotropoides root-derived principles, methyleugenol, safrole, 3-carene, α-asarone, pentadecane and A. heterotropoides root steam distillate constituents was tested against poultry red mites Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer). All active principles were identified by spectroscopic analysis. Results were compared with those of two conventional acaricides, benzyl benzoate and N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). Methyleugenol (24 h LC50 = 0.57 µg/cm(2)) and safrole (24 h LC50 = 8.54 µg/cm(2)) were the most toxic compounds toward D. gallinae, followed by 3,4,5-trimethoxytoluene, 3,5-dimethoxytoluene, estragole, α-terpineol, verbenone, eucarvone, linalool, and terpinen-4-ol (LC50 = 15.65-27.88 µg/cm(2)). Methyleugenol was 16.7× and 11.0× more toxic than benzyl benzoate (LC50 = 9.52 μg/cm(2)) and DEET (LC50 = 6.28 μg/cm(2)), respectively; safrole was 1.1× and 0.73× more toxic. Asarum heterotropoides root-derived materials, particularly methyleugenol and safrole, merit further study as potential acaricides. Global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic acaricides in indoor environments justify further studies on A. heterotropoides root extract and steam distillate preparations containing the active constituents described as potential contact-action fumigants for the control of mites.

Toxic and Repellent Effects of Volatile Phenylpropenes from Asarum heterotropoides on Lasioderma serricorne and Liposcelis bostrychophila

“…Methyleugenol, safrole, and 3,5-dimethoxytoluene were the most abundant compounds in ER in this work. The main components were consistent with those reported in some previous investigations of A. heterotropoides [ 20 , 29 , 30 ]. According to GC-MS analysis, the major components of ER and EL were methyleugenol and safrole, but minor components had some differences between the two organs.…”

Evaluation of the Acaricidal Effectiveness of Fipronil and Phoxim in Field Populations of Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) from Ornamental Poultry Farms in Italy

“…This could be the case of the use of the phytoextracts with acaricidal activities. As an example, the use of different plant extracts, essential oils, and related compounds derived from plants such as Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum camphora, Asarum heterotropoides, and Cnidium officinale or some vegetable oils, including Neem oil, Cassia and Cinnamon essential oil, containing the active ingredient cinnamaldehyde, were effective against D. gallinae [40,41]. However, efficacy, low toxicity, and the absence of residues in food of natural products must be further tested.…”

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

“…This phenomenon is being monitored and will be investigated in more detail in subsequent experiments. Some researchers have isolated individual chemical active ingredients contained in oils and study their effects on arthropods (George et al 2009a, Kim et al 2016, Tabari et al 2017, Chen et al 2019, Radsetoulalova et al 2020. Studies show that the acaricidal effect of complete oils is more effective than the action of combinations of their individual active components.…”