Toxicity, Phytochemical Composition, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Some Indigenous Weed Plant Extracts in Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster being used as model organism is considered as pest of homes, restaurants, and fruit markets. The damaged fruits are also reported to serve as a carrier for various diseases. The current study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of petroleum extract of some weed plants, namely, Euphorbia prostrata, Parthenium hysterophorus, Fumaria indica, Chenopodium murale, and Azadirachta indica, against D. melanogaster. Mortality at 10, 20, and 30% concentrations after 24 and 48 hours was found comparatively low. E. prostrata caused high mortality (51.64%) at 30% concentration and was found more toxic (LC50 27.76; P value 0.00) after 72 hours. A. indica showed high LC50 value (P value 0.15) compared to other weed plants. The combination of E. prostrata and Bti showed highest mortality (100%; LC50 12.49; P value 0.00) after 72 hours. Similarly, the same combination caused maximum reduction in the activity of AChE, AcP, AkP, α-Carboxyl, and β-Carboxyl enzymes. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinones, and terpenoids. FTIR analysis of E. prostrata showed the presence of phenolic compounds. It is suggested that further studies are needed in order to incorporate weed plant extracts in combination with Bti for the management of fruit flies.

Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Toxicity of Aqueous Extract of Picralima nitida in Drosophila melanogaster

“…Result of the survival assay showed that flies exposed to APN (0-100 mg/mL) caused 100 % mortality at 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL. 24,44 Finding from the study also showed that there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) at 32 mg/mL of APN when compared to the control. MDA is an important biomarker for accessing the level of lipid peroxidation.…”

“…Locomotive performance of flies treated on different concentration of APN was examined using negative geotaxis assay described previously. 24 After seven days exposure to APN, 10 APN treated flies were made inactive under light anaesthesia on ice and transferred to a vertical column that is labelled and has a length and diameter of 15 and 1.5 cm respectively. All the columns were marked before that time at a 6 cm point.…”

Maja Fruit Extracts Inhibit Escherichia coli, Reduce Fly Larvae Population, and Ammonia Emission of Chicken Excreta

“…Furthermore, the bioactive compound has a potency for inhibition of larvae growth through direct contact. The previous study proved that the phytochemical content, especially tannin and phenol, also had a potency as a larvicidal agent (Riaz et al, 2018), the poisonous contact to the larvae body will cause morphological abnormalities on the larvae body (Bosly, 2013).…”

Dengue Fever: A General Perspective

“…Several medicinal plants such as Momordica charantia and Andrographis paniculata have been reported in inhibiting the replication cycle of DENV. Few of the weed plants have been shown to cause insecticidal and enzyme inhibitory activities in insects [83,84]. Further investigations are needed to develop potential dengue treatment [85].…”