Repellent Activity of Fractioned Compounds from <I>Chamaecyparis nootkatensis</I> Essential Oil Against Nymphal <I>Ixodes scapularis</I> (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract

Preliminary repellent activity of 14 natural products isolated from essential oil components extracted from the heartwood of Alaska yellow cedar, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach., were evaluated against nymphal Ixodes scapularis Say in a laboratory bioassay and compared with technical grade N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet). Four hours after treatment, nootkatone and valencene-13-ol had repellent concentration (RC)50 values of 0.0458 and 0.0712% (wt:vol), respectively; two additional Alaska yellow cedar compounds, nootkatone 1 --> 10 epoxide and carvacrol had reported RC50 values of 0.0858 and 0.112%, respectively. The observed RC50 value for deet was 0.0728% (wt:vol). Although not statistically significantly more active than deet, the ability of these natural products to repel ticks at relatively low concentrations may represent a potential alternative to synthetic commercial repellents.

Olfaction in vector-host interactions

“…The basis for naturally 'tick-resistant' breeds or species of hosts appears to be related to host immune response (Martinez et al 2006), however, differences in volatile emissions (Weldon and Carroll 2007), if present, provide potential compounds useful for livestock protection. Plant-based compounds evaluated against ticks may provide new active ingredients for protection of human and even livestock (Bissinger et al 2009, Dietrich et al 2006, Feaster et al 2009, Palsson et al 2008.…”

Influence of essential oil fractionation by vacuum distillation on acaricidal activity against the cattle tick

“…microplus (Borges et al 2003;FreitasRibeiro et al 2005;Dietrich et al 2006;Ribeiro et al 2007;Fernandes et al 2008;Ribeiro et al 2008). Among them, essential oils components are known to possess repellent, chemosterilant, antifeeding and biocidal activities against different acarus, showing promissory potential as products for tick control, since some of them are selective and have little or no harmful effects on non-target organisms (Facey et al 2005;Panella et al 2005;Dietrich et al 2006;Tunon et al 2006;Apel et al 2009). The genus Cymbopogon, family Poaceae, comprises a group of about 40 tropical aromatic grasses.…”

Terpene Hydroxylation with Microbial Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases

“…It exhibits unique odor characteristics and is, therefore, a highly valued and highly demanded aroma compound for the food and flavor industry. In addition, (+)-nootkatone is also an effective and environmentally friendly repellent of insects such as mosquitos, ticks, and bedbugs [64,65]. Limitations in application are dictated by the costly extraction of this compound from natural sources in connection with inadequate yields.…”