Zuccagnia punctata Cav. Essential Oil into Poly(ε-caprolactone) Matrices as a Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Strategy Biorepellent against Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

Abstract

The main strategies against Triatoma infestans (primary vector responsible for the Chagas disease transmission) are the elimination or reduction of its abundance in homes through the application of insecticides or repellents with residual power, and environmental management through the improvement of housing. The use of plant-derived compounds as a source of therapeutic agents (i.e., essential oils from aromatic plants and their components) is a valuable alternative to conventional insecticides and repellents. Essential oil-based insect repellents are environmentally friendly and provide reliable personal protection against the bites of mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects. This study investigates, for the first time to our knowledge, the potential repellent activity of Zuccagnia punctata essential oil (ZEO) and poly(ε-caprolactone) matrices loaded with ZEO (ZEOP) prepared by solvent casting. The analysis of its essential oil from aerial parts by GC–FID and GC-MS, MS allowed the identification of 25 constituents representing 99.5% of the composition. The main components of the oil were identified as (−)-5,6-dehydrocamphor (62.4%), alpha-pinene (9.1%), thuja-2, 4 (10)-diene (4.6%) and dihydroeugenol (4.5%). ZEOP matrices were homogeneous and opaque, with thickness of 800 ± 140 µm and encapsulation efficiency values above 98%. ZEO and ZEOP at the lowest dose (0.5% wt./wt., 96 h) showed a repellency of 33 and 73% respectively, while at the highest dose (1% wt./wt., 96 h) exhibited a repellent activity of 40 and 66 %, respectively. On the other hand, until 72 h, ZEO showed a strong repellent activity against T. infestans (88% repellency average; Class V) to both concentrations, compared with positive control N-N diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). The essential oils from the Andean flora have shown an excellent repellent activity, highlighting the repellent activity of Zuccagnia punctata. The effectiveness of ZEO was extended by its incorporation in polymeric systems and could have a potential home or peridomiciliary use, which might help prevent, or at least reduce, Chagas’ disease transmission.

Zuccagnia punctata Cav., a Potential Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Bionematicide for the Control of Argentinean Horticultural Crops

“…The ZpEO showed potent nematicidal activity comparable to Abamectin, according to the quantification ranges of nematicidal activity reported [ 32 ]. In previous reports on the chemical composition of Zuccagnia punctata oil collected in Argentine, including the province of San Juan, the presence of a major compound (-)-5,6-dehydrocrocamphor (18–62%) has been reported [ 30 ]. However, in this collected sample, (-)-5,6-dehydrocrocamphor was only detected in a low percentage, which supports the idea that it is in the presence of another chemotype of this species.…”

“…The identification of components was performed with the use of the volatile oil ADAMS library together with retention indices of reference compounds and built-in Wiley and NBS peak matching library search systems. Quantitative percentage composition was determined from the GC peak areas without correction factors [ 30 ].…”

“…Zuccagnia punctata is used in Argentina to treat injuries and bruises as a disinfectant for wounds, as a repellent of insects, for roof construction in rural areas and as a vegetable fuel for cooking food. In Argentina, Z. punctata is “the medicinal plant”: it has received the largest number of studies of its chemistry and biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, repellent and cytoprotective activities [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

Insecticidal and repellent effects of the essential oils obtained from Argentine aromatic flora

“…(2021) included the EO of Zuccagnia punctata in poly-(Ɛ-caprolactone) matrices and registered the repellent effect from 1 h to 96 h. The average repellency was 89% when the EO was applied alone from 1 to 72 h, significantly higher compared to the polymeric matrix treatment, where repellence reached the maximum value of 66% within the same time frame. However, at 96 h, the repellence of the EO alone decreased significantly to 40%, while the polymeric system remained at 66%, which might be related to the lower volatilization of the EO when it is incorporated in a polymeric system (López et al, 2021).…”

Insecticide, Acaricide, Repellent and Antimicrobial Development

“…(e) Evaluation of the impact of selected plant-borne compounds on the behaviour of key insect pests, with special reference to aphids [28]. (f) Development of botanical-based insecticidal formulations (including nanoformulations) characterized by an improved bioactivity and stability over time [29,30].…”