Electrophysiological responses of Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers to essential oils of eucalyptus and its chemical composition

The leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 is the most harmful of the Eucalyptus pests, causing severe losses in wood production through defoliation. Various strategies have been tried and effort spent on the development of methods to control this pest, however no practical and environmentally acceptable one currently exists. In this work the chemical composition of the essential oil of seven Eucalyptus species was identified and the selectivity and sensitivity of antennal receptors of A. sexdens rubropilosa workers to the volatile compounds were determined using the electroantennographic technique (EAG and GC-EAD). Analysis by GC-EAD showed in E. cloesiana and E. maculata, respectively, seventeen and sixteen terpenes that elicited responses in ant workers' antennae, indicating the potential role of the essential oils as allelochemicals that determine the choice of the foraging material.     

Environmental interactions with the toxicity of plant essential oils to the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae

The toxicity of a range of plant essential oils to the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae), a serious ectoparasitic pest of laying hens throughout Europe and elsewhere, was assessed in the laboratory. Dermanyssus gallinae may cause losses in egg production, anaemia and, in extreme cases, death of hens. With changes in legislation and consumer demand, alternatives to synthetic acaricides are needed to manage this pest. Fifty plant essential oils were selected for their toxicity to arthropods reported in the literature. Twenty-four of these essential oils were found to kill > 75% of adult D. gallinae in contact toxicity tests over a 24-h period at a rate of 0.21 mg/cm². Subsequent testing at lower rates showed that the essential oils of cade, manuka and thyme were especially toxic to adult D. gallinae . The toxicity of the seven most acaricidal essential oils was found to be stable at different temperatures likely to be encountered in commercial poultry housing (15°C, 22°C and 29°C), although results suggest that humidity and dust might influence the toxicity of some of the oils tested. The toxicity of clove bud essential oil to D. gallinae , for example, was increased at high humidity and dust levels compared with ambient levels. The results suggest that certain essential oils may make effective botanical pesticides for use against D. gallinae , although it is likely that issues relating to the consistency of the toxic effect of some oils will determine which oils will be most effective in practice.     

In-vitro antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Sardinian Thymus essential oils

Essential oils and their components are becoming increasingly popular as naturally occurring antimicrobial agents. In this work the chemical composition and the antimicrobial properties of Thymus essential oils and of their main components were determined. Three essential oils obtained from different species of Thymus growing wild in Sardinia and a commercial sample of Thymus capitatus oil were analysed. The essential oil components were identified by GC/MS analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the oils and components was determined against a panel of standard reference strains and multiple strains of food-derived spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, using a broth microdilution method. The GC/MS analysis showed that the major constituents of the oils were monoterpene hydrocarbons and phenolic monoterpenes, but the concentration of these compounds varied greatly among the oils examined. The results of the antimicrobial assay showed that essential oils extracted from Sardinian Thymus species have an antimicrobial activity comparable to the one observed in other thyme oils. It seems also confirmed that the antimicrobial properties of thyme essential oils are mainly related to their high phenolic content. Among the single compounds tested carvacrol and thymol turned out to be the most efficient against both reference strains and food-derived bacteria. The results of this study confirmed the possibility of using thyme essential oils or some of their components in food systems to prevent the growth of foodborne bacteria and extend the shelf-life of processed foods.     

In vitro efficacies of oils, silicas and plant preparations against the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of physically acting substances (oils and silicas) and plant preparations for the control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer 1778). Reproduction and survival of fed D. gallinae females were evaluated in vitro for a total of 168 h using the “area under the survival curve” (AUC) to compare survival of the mites between treatments. Four oils (two plant oils, one petroleum spray oil and diesel), one soap, three silicas (one synthetic amorphous silica, one diatomaceous earth (DE) and one DE with 2% pyrethrum extract) and seven plant preparations (derived from Chrysanthemum cineariaefolium, Allium sativum, Tanacetum vulgare, Yucca schidigera, Quillaja saponaria, Dryopteris filix-mas, and Thuja occidentalis) were tested at various concentrations. All the oils, diesel and soap significantly reduced D. gallinae survival. All silicas tested inhibited reproduction. DE significantly reduced mite survival, but amorphous silica was less effective in vitro. Except for pure A. sativum juice and the highest concentration of C. cineariaefolium extract, the plant preparations tested resulted in statistically insignificant control of D. gallinae.     

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against Helicobacter pylori

Background. Helicobacter pylori is an important pathogen responsible for gastroduodenal diseases in humans. Although the eradication of H. pylori using antibiotics often improves gastroduodenal diseases, resistance to the antibiotics is emerging. Materials and Methods. The antimicrobial effect of essential oils and the development of resistance to the essential oils were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results. Thirteen essential oils used in this study completely inhibited the growth of H. pylori in vitro at a concentration of 0.1% (v/v). Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and Lippia citriodora (lemon verbena) were bactericidal against H. pylori at 0.01% at pH 4.0 and 5.0. Resistance to lemongrass did not develop even after 10 sequential passages, whereas resistance to clarithromycin developed under the same conditions. In in vivo studies, the density of H. pylori in the stomach of mice treated with lemongrass was significantly reduced compared with untreated mice. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that the essential oils are bactericidal against H. pylori without the development of acquired resistance, suggesting that essential oils may have potential as new and safe agents for inclusion in anti‐H. pylori regimens.     

Monitoring of Dermanyssus gallinae in free-range poultry farms

Various methods for monitoring Dermanyssus gallinae infestations within free-range egg production units were compared. The study was carried out in five egg-producing free-range poultry buildings infested with D. gallinae. Each farm was divided into six zones (each zone including nest boxes, perches and duckboard) for placing two types of traps (corrugated cardboard and thick card traps) or examining dried droppings for presence of mites. Traps were removed 24 h later, placed into bags and mites were counted at the laboratory using binocular magnification. Droppings were also inspected by eye and mite numbers were estimated. All the methods used allowed us to detect mites although their efficacy differed. The number of mites collected was independent of the type of trap used. Examination of the droppings did not differentiate between buildings with differing mite populations. Placing traps in the nest boxes is a less reliable indicator than placing them on the perches. It appears that the most coherent method for evaluating the D. gallinae population within a free-range flock is to place thick card traps throughout the building, on perches favoured by birds.     

几种典型植物精油的化学成分与其抗菌活性

【目的】植物精油萃取自天然植物, 因具有抗菌活性, 近年来受到广泛关注。论文的目的是分析植物精油的化学成分, 测试其抗菌活性, 并研究其化学成分与抗菌活性之间的联系。【方法】实验选取了肉桂、山苍子、丁香、香茅、迷迭香和大蒜精油等6种典型植物精油, 通过气质联用分析方法研究了其化学组分, 并通过污染食物技术研究了其对黑曲霉和绳状青霉的抗真菌活性, 以及对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抗细菌活性。【结果】气质联用分析结果表明, 肉桂、山苍子、香茅和迷迭香等4种植物精油的化学成分主要是醛类和醇类, 丁香精油的主要化学成分是丁香油酚, 大蒜精油化学成分基本上都是含硫的醚类, 其中二烯丙基三硫醚(大蒜素)含量最高。抗菌活性结果显示, 不同植物精油的抗菌活性不同, 6种植物精油的抗真菌活性由强到弱依次为: 肉桂>大蒜>丁香>山苍子=香茅>迷迭香, 抗细菌活性由强到弱依次为: 肉桂>山苍子>丁香>香茅=迷迭香>大蒜。【结论】植物精油的抗真菌、细菌活性与其化学组分密切相关, 肉桂、山苍子、香茅和迷迭香等4种精油的抗菌活性可能主要与其化学成分中的醛类和醇类有关, 丁香精油较高的抗菌活性可能主要源于丁香油酚; 大蒜精油具有高效的抗真菌活性主要源于其化学成分中的含硫醚。不同植物精油化学成分不同, 抗真菌、细菌活性也不同, 表明其可能有不同的抗真菌与抗细菌机制。     

Toxicity of plant essential oils to different life stages of the poultry red mite,Dermanyssus gallinae,and non‐target invertebrates

Seven essential oils with potential as acaricides for use against the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae), were selected for study. These products (essential oils of manuka, cade, pennyroyal, thyme, garlic, clove bud and cinnamon bark) were deployed against different life stages of D. gallinae in laboratory tests at the (lethal concentration) LC₅₀ level for adult mites. For all essential oils tested, toxicity to D. gallinae juveniles was as high as toxicity to adults, if not higher. However, at the LC₅₀ level determined for adults, some oils were ineffective in preventing hatching of D. gallinae eggs. The essential oils were also tested under laboratory conditions at their LC₉₀ levels for D. gallinae adults on two model non‐target species, the brine shrimp, Artemia salina (L.), and the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (L.). Results showed that not all essential oils were as toxic to A. salina and T. molitor as they were to D. gallinae, suggesting that it may be possible to select certain oils for development as acaricides against D. gallinae that would have minimal impact on non‐target organisms. However, the level of toxicity to A. salina and T. molitor was not consistent across the selected essential oils.     

Chemical composition and fumigant toxicity of some essential oils against Ephestia kuehniella

The chemical constituents of some essential oils extracted from aromatic plants (savory, Satureja thymbra L.; Turkish oregano, Origanum onites L.; myrtle, Myrtus communis L.; marjoram, Origanum majorana L.; laurel, Laurus nobilis L.; lemon, Citrus limon L.; sticky goosefoot, Chenopodium botrys L.; and tansy, Tanecetum armenum [DC.] Suchultz Bip.) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fumigant toxicity of volatile compounds was tested against Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), eggs and adults. Percentage of mortality and longevity of E. kuehniella adults were estimated after essential oil treatments. LC50 and LC99 values were determined for each exposure time for each essential oil. Marjoram and lemon oils were the most effective of all the essential oils tested. The major components were linalool, 1.8-cineole, citral, 2-(4a.8-dimethyl-1.2.3.4.4a.5.6.7-octahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-prop-2-en-l-ol, and p-cymene for marjoram, laurel, lemon, goosefoot, and tansy, respectively. The LC50 and LC99 values were estimated as 3.27 and 5.13 microl liter(-1) air for marjoram and 4.05 and 5.57 microl liter(-1) air for lemon essential oils at the longest exposure time. Decreasing longevity effect of marjoram and lemon was more prominent compared with other essential oils. We suggest that essential oils obtained from certain aromatic plants have potential as fumigants for stored product pests.     

Screening of chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia essential oils

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated from aerial parts of seven wild sages from Western Canada – Artemisia absinthium L., Artemisia biennis Willd., Artemisia cana Pursh, Artemisia dracunculus L., Artemisia frigida Willd., Artemisia longifolia Nutt. and Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., was investigated by GC–MS. A total of 110 components were identified accounting for 71.0–98.8% of the oil composition. High contents of 1,8-cineole (21.5–27.6%) and camphor (15.9–37.3%) were found in Artemisia cana, A. frigida, A. longifolia and A. ludoviciana oils. The oil of A. ludoviciana was also characterized by a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes with a 5-ethenyltetrahydro-5-methyl-2-furanyl moiety, of which davanone (11.5%) was the main component identified. A. absinthium oil was characterized by high amounts of myrcene (10.8%), trans-thujone (10.1%) and trans-sabinyl acetate (26.4%). A. biennis yielded an oil rich in (Z)-beta-ocimene (34.7%), (E)-beta-farnesene (40.0%) and the acetylenes (11.0%) (Z)- and (E)-en-yn-dicycloethers. A. dracunculus oil contained predominantly phenylpropanoids such as methyl chavicol (16.2%) and methyl eugenol (35.8%). Artemisia oils had inhibitory effects on the growth of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis), yeasts (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans), dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum), Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Aspergillus niger. A. biennis oil was the most active against dermatophytes, Cryptococcus neoformans, Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Aspergillus niger, and A. absinthium oil the most active against Staphylococcus strains. In addition, antioxidant (beta-carotene/linoleate model) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities were determined, and weak activities were found for these oils.     

Variation of the chemical composition of essential oils in Brazilian populations of Cunila menthoides Benth. (Lamiaceae)

Cunila menthoides Benth. is characterized as a xilopodiferous subshrub with strong and pleasant smell. This species is commonly used in South Brazilian folk medicine. Air-dried samples of four Brazilian populations of C. menthoides were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed using GS and GS–MS. A total of 15 volatile compounds were detected and identified. Two groups, which can be considered as chemotypes, were formed by the average linkage cluster analysis. The first group was characterized by high concentrations of pulegone, with some individuals showing variations to menthone; and the second group was characterized by high concentrations of linalool.     

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oils of three Artemisia species

Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector for serious diseases in tropical regions. This pest is mainly controlled by commercial larvicides but the application of such products has led to environmental problems. Essential oils (EO) have been consistently reported as molecules with insecticidal activity and can be used to produce more environmentally friendly larvicides in the control of A. aegypti. In this study, the larvicidal effect of essential oils (EO) from the leaves of three Artemisia species was evaluated against A. aegypti. The oils were obtained from steam distillation and their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The EO of Artemisia camphorata was the most active in the screening bioassay and presented LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ of 64.95 and 74.18 μg ml⁻¹, respectively. In addition, we found that germacrene D-4-ol was the constituent responsible for the toxicity of this EO. Artemisia camphorata EO and its major constituent, germacrene D-4-ol, are promising for the development of natural larvicides against A. aegypti.     

Antifungal activity of some essential oils against toxigenic Aspergillus species

Increasing attentions have been paid on the application of essential oils and plant extracts for control of postharvest pathogens due to their natural origin and less appearance of resistance in fungi pathogens. Some Aspergillus species are toxigenic and responsible for many cases of food and feed contamination. Some Toxins that produce with some Aspergillus species are known to be potent hepatocarcinogens in animals and humans. The present work evaluated the parameters of antifungal activity of the essential oils of Zataria multiflora, Thymus migricus, Satureja hortensis, Foeniculum vulgare, Carum capticum and thiabendazol fungicide on survival and growth of different species of Aspergillus. Aerial part and seeds of plant species were collected then dried and its essential oils isolated by means of hydrodistillation. Antifungal activity was evaluated in vitro by poisonous medium technique with PDA medium at six concentrations. Results showed that all essential oils could inhibit the growth of Aspergillus species. The essential oil with the best effect and lowest EC50 and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) was Z. multiflora (223 microl/l and 650 microl/l, respectively). The chemical composition of the Z. multiflora essential oil was analyzed by GC-MS.     

The antimicrobial activity of four commercial essential oils in combination with conventional antimicrobials

Aims:  Due to the emergence of multi-drug resistance, alternatives to conventional antimicrobial therapy are needed. This study aims to investigate the in vitro pharmacological interactions between essential oils (considered valuable as natural therapeutic treatments) and conventional antimicrobials (ciprofloxacin/amphotericin B) when used in combination.
Methods and Results:  Interactions of the essential oils ( Melaleuca alternifolia , Thymus vulgaris , Mentha piperita and Rosmarinus officinalis ) when combined with ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus indicate mainly antagonistic profiles. When tested against Klebsiella pneumoniae the isobolograms show antagonistic, synergistic and additive interactions depending on the combined ratio. The R. officinalis/ ciprofloxacin combination against K. pneumoniae displayed the most favourable synergistic pattern. The interactions of M. alternifolia (tea tree), T.   vulgaris (thyme), M. piperita (peppermint) and R. officinalis (rosemary) essential oils with amphotericin B indicate mainly antagonistic profiles when tested against Candida albicans.
Conclusion:  While a number of interactions show complete antagonism, others show varied (synergistic, additive and/or antagonistic) interactions, thus the efficacy is dependent on the ratio in which the two components co-exist.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The predominant antagonistic interactions noted here, suggests that some natural therapies containing essential oils should be used with caution when combined with antibiotics.     

Screening of insecticidal activity of plant essential oils and extract-based formulations against four agricultural insect pests and their risk assessment

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Plutella xylostella (L), and Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) are notorious agricultural insect pests worldwide. Due to the rapid development of resistance to the conventional insecticides, the number of available insecticides might be reduced in a near future, and botanical insecticides can be considered as one of the potential candidates to solve this problem. In the present study, test formulations were prepared using plant essential oils and extracts as main active ingredients, and their insecticidal activity and phytotoxicity were examined. Among the combinations tested, two oil-in-water formulations of NRS-13 containing thyme white oil and NRS-24 containing basil and rosemary oils were selected based on their notable insecticidal activity and low phytotoxicity. Chemical analyses on the active essential oils, the quantitative analysis of the major components in the formulations, insecticidal activities under pot and field conditions, their acute toxicity on mammals, and ecotoxicity on fish were also examined. The NRS-13 (BaechooSafer^TM) and NRS-24 (JindiOut^TM) formulations showed species-specific insecticidal activity against P. xylostella and M. persicae, respectively. In addition, both formulations produced low acute oral and dermal toxicity, skin and eye irritation, and fish toxicities, which suggests those formulations based on essential oils could be considered as insecticides for pest control in small-scale environments in organic farming.     

九种植物精油对腌肉及咸鱼害虫大头金蝇的杀卵作用

为开发腌肉和咸鱼害蝇的安全性杀卵剂,采用改进的浸卵法,进行了9种植物精油对大头金蝇的杀卵活性测定.结果表明:肉桂、丁香、八角茴香3种植物精油较为有效,它们的杀卵毒力(LC50)依次为0.428、1.605和2.489mg.ml-1,以肉桂油的毒力最强.通过GC/MC成分分析,从肉桂油检出22个成分,主成分桂皮醛占92.33%.合成桂皮醛(含量97.33%)的毒力为0.281mg.ml-1,略高于肉桂油,表明桂皮醛是肉桂油的主要杀卵活性成分,可替代肉桂油作为害蝇杀卵剂利用.     

十九种植物精油对茶丽纹象甲成虫的驱避和拒食活性

为了寻找茶丽纹象甲Myllocerinus aurolineatus Voss无公害防治新途径,采用行为生测法测定了19种植物精油对茶丽纹象甲的驱避和拒食活性。结果表明:大蒜油allitridi、芸香(Cantleyt corniculata(Becc)Howard)油、丹参(Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.)、穿心莲(Andrographis paniculata(Burm.f.)Nees)、艾叶(Artemisia argyi Levl.et Vant.)、薰衣草(Lavender angustifolia Mill.)、何首乌(Fallopia multiflora(Thunb.)Harald.)、苦参(Sophora flavescens Alt.)、黄岑(Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi)、益母草(Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet)和金银花(Lonicera Japonica Thunb.)提取物对象甲的雄性和(或)雌性具有驱避活性。其中,大蒜油、丹参、何首乌和苦参又分别对象甲的雌性或雄性具有显著的选择性拒食活性;与对照相比,芸香油和金银花提取物对象甲具有非选择性拒食活性,而大蒜油和益母草提取物会显著提高象甲的取食量。艾叶、薰衣草和黄岑提取物对象甲仅表现出一定的驱避活性,未表现出拒食活性。与对照相比,穿心莲提取物对象甲具有显著的引诱作用。本研究证明芸香油、丹参、何首乌、苦参和金银花5种物质对象甲具有多方面的作用活性,具有很好的研究价值和实践意义。     

Bactericidal activity of some plant essential oils against Ralstonia solanacearum infection

Potato plants and their tubers in Egypt are affected by one of the most renowned soil-borne pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum, that caused brown rot in potato tubers and wilt in plants. There is no efficient therapeutic bactericide so; control of bacterial wilt is very rough.The study investigated three different concentrations of seven essential plant oils under in vitro and in vivo conditions as a result of their effects on Ralstonia solanacearum growth and their possibility use as potato seed pieces dressing for controlling bacterial wilt disease incidence. In vitro, anise oil at the three tested different concentrations (0.04, 0.07, and 0.14% vol/vol) was the most effective one inhibiting the growth of T4 and W9 isolates of Ralstonia solanacearum then pursued by thyme, lemongrass, and clove oils. On the other hand, rocket oil at the tested concentration was the least effective one followed by fennel oil. However, wheat germ oil was not completely effective. In vivo, experiment revealed that anise oil at the three concentrations significantly reduced disease incidence and severity in sponta and hermes potato cultivars and their effect was associated with increase of peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, phenols and the foliar fresh weight of treated plants as well as the weight of tubers/plant followed by thyme and lemongrass oils compared to the infected untreated control.Morphological differences in bacterial cell structure have been observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Anise oil at higher concentration caused of cell wall rupture and degraded cellular components.