Fumigant Toxicity and Oviposition Deterrency of the Essential Oil from Cardamom,Elettaria cardamomum, Against Three Stored—product Insects

Abstract

Use of insecticides can have disruptive effects on the environment. Replacing the chemical compounds in these insecticides with plant materials, however, can be a safe method with low environmental risk. In the current study, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of the essential oil from cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum L. (Maton) (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) on the adults of three stored product pests was investigated. Results indicated that essential oil of E. cardamomum toxic to the bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and the flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Adults of E. kuehniella were more sensitive than the Coleoptera. Also, the highest mortality of these insects was seen after 12 hours. Results of the LT50 tests showed that the lethal time of mortality occurred between 10–20 hours in various test concentrations. Essential oil of E. cardamomum had a good efficacy on oviposition deterrence of C. maculatus females, too. The chemical constituents of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. The major constituents of cardamom were identified as 1,8-cineol, α-terpinyl acetate, terpinene and fenchyl alcohol. These results suggest that essential oil of E. cardamomum is a good choice for control of stored product pests.

Chemical composition and bio-pesticidal values of essential oil isolated from the seed of Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fischer (Apiaceae)

“…By fumigation, LC 50 values for L. sempervirens oils were 1.6-1.7 μL L -1 air, while these were 9.0-10.5 μL L -1 air for D. winteri oils. In the study of Abbasipour et al (2011), the insecticidal activity of the essential oil from Elettaria cardamomum L. (Zingiberaceae) on the adults of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Pyralidae), T. castaneum and Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) was investigated. Results indicated that essential oil of E. cardamomum was toxic to all insects and E. kuehniella adults were more sensitive than the Coleoptera and T. castaneum was more tolerant compared to C. maculatus.…”

Exploration of various essential oils as fumigant to protect stored grains from insect damage

“…Mortality was observed after 24 h and graphs were drawn using Graph Pad PRISM ® software. Mortality was confirmed by observing any sign of insect movement in response to poking with a needle (Abbasipour et al, 2011).…”

Fumigation Toxicity of Essential Oil Monoterpenes to Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

“…Any of the above-mentioned factors or a combination of two or more of these factors may have accounted for the differences between the results obtained in the present study and the previous related studies. [39,40], but we are not aware of any studies that specifically tested synthetic (pure) essential oil components. Eman and Abass [40], in their study of efficacy of five essential oils against C. maculatus, reported significant reduction in oviposition with 1% acetone solution of Mentha rotundifolia (L.) and Mentha pulegium (L.).…”

“…[39,40], but we are not aware of any studies that specifically tested synthetic (pure) essential oil components. Eman and Abass [40], in their study of efficacy of five essential oils against C. maculatus, reported significant reduction in oviposition with 1% acetone solution of Mentha rotundifolia (L.) and Mentha pulegium (L.). M. rotundifolia oil contains a low percentage (8.5%) of 1-8-cineole, while M. pulegium oil has 0.05, 0.2, and 0.4% of (+)--pinene, (−)--pinene, and S-(−)-limonene, respectively.…”

“…Interestingly, S-(−)-limonene and the two isomers of pinene were not effective in the present study as oviposition deterrent or in preventing adult emergence even at high doses. Oil of Elettaria cardamomum (L.), a major source of 1-8-cineole (55.7%), also reduced oviposition by C. maculatus [40]. Other components of the oil may have interacted to lower the efficacy of 1-8-cineole content.…”