Bioassay-oriented isolation of an insecticide from Ailanthus altissima

Abstract

The tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima Swingle(Simaroubaceae), was studied for its potential insecticide activity against the pea aphid, Acyrtosiphon pisum (Harris). First instar aphids were dipped in water solutions of root extract and of leaf extract of A. altissima, and this was followed by bioassay-oriented fractioning of leaf extract (more active in bioassays) with petroleum ether, chloroform, chloroform-methanol, methanol and water, and of chromatographic fractions. The putative active constituent ailanthone, isolated from the plant resulting in the highest aphid mortality, has been assayed as a pure compound in different concentrations, proving to be responsible, for the insecticidal activity reported

Review on Invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) Conflicting Values: Assessment of Its Ecosystem Services and Potential Biological Threat

“…Plant secondary metabolites play an important role in plantinsect interactions and therefore such compounds may have insecticidal, hormonal, and antifeedant activities against insects (De Feo et al 2009). From an ecological perspective, such compounds can be considered as chemical weapons to ward off predators and competitors for limited resources and contribute to explaining the ecological impact of A. altissima in ecosystems (De Feo et al 2009). A. altissima presents a strong resistance to herbivores (insects), due to the chemical composition of its tissues.…”

“…Botanical pesticides are of increasing interest today, due to the problems related to the negative effects of conventional pesticides on the environment and the beneficial fauna (De Feo et al 2009). A review of sublethal effects, taking into account recent data, has revealed new insights into the effects of pesticides, including influences on learning performance, behavior, and neurophysiology (Desneux et al 2007).…”

“…There is less danger of impact on the environment and water quality and they offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to chemical insecticides (Moazami 2002). Moreover, novel, environmentally compatible, pest control agents are needed in order to replace pesticides that have been withdrawn for economic or regulatory reasons (De Feo et al 2009) bearing in mind that botanicals can be just as toxic as synthetic pesticides. Botanical pesticides could also be used where pests have developed resistance to conventional pesticides (Moazami 2002).…”

“…Ailanthus altissima is also studied as a source of insecticidal compounds (Tsao et al 2002;De Feo et al 2009). Plant secondary metabolites play an important role in plantinsect interactions and therefore such compounds may have insecticidal, hormonal, and antifeedant activities against insects (De Feo et al 2009).…”

“…,Pedersini et al (2011), De Feo et al (2003), De Feo et al (2009), Lin et al (1995,Kožuharova et al (2014),Albouchi et al (2013),Tsao et al (2002),Lü and Shi …”