126种植物精油或精油主要成分对玉米黄呆蓟马的熏杀活性筛选

【目的】鉴于植物源蓟马防控剂产品较为稀缺,本研究旨在发现具有开发潜力的植物材料,为植物源蓟马防控剂产品开发奠定基础。【方法】采用三角瓶熏蒸法,筛选了126种植物精油或精油主要成分对玉米黄呆蓟马Anaphothrips obscurus的熏杀活性。【结果】冬青油等10种精油或精油主要成分对玉米黄呆蓟马2龄若虫和成虫均具有较好的熏蒸活性,其毒力从大到小依次为冬青油、牛至油、肉桂油、百里香油、柠檬醛、黄樟油、紫苏叶油、大蒜油、松油精和松油醇;其中,冬青油对2龄若虫和成虫的LC_(50)分别为0.97和2.56μL/L,牛至油对2龄若虫和成虫的LC_(50)分别为1.47和3.27μL/L;在LC_(95)剂量下,各精油对玉米黄呆蓟马成虫的LT_(50)从小到大依次为黄樟油、柠檬醛、松油醇、松油精、牛至油、冬青油、百里香油、肉桂油、紫苏叶油和大蒜油;其中黄樟油的LT_(50)为17.31min,熏蒸致死速度最快。【结论】冬青油、牛至油和黄樟油对玉米黄呆蓟马具有较好的熏蒸致死活性,有应用潜力,值得进一步研究。     

四种植物精油对黑翅土白蚁触杀和驱避作用

为筛选出高效防治黑翅土白蚁的天然植物精油,减少有机合成农药的使用,该文研究了大蒜精油、肉桂油、丁香油和印楝素油四种植物精油对黑翅土白蚁的触杀效果和驱避作用。结果表明:大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油的浓度为5和10 mg·m L~(-1)时,处理2 h后,黑翅土白蚁的校正死亡率达100%,而相同浓度的印楝素油和对照处理的黑翅土白蚁校正死亡率低于5%。随着处理时间延长,浓度为1.25和2.5 mg·m L~(-1)的大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油处理6 h时,黑翅土白蚁的校正死亡率仍达100%,而此时对应的印楝素油和对照处理的黑翅土白蚁校正死亡率仅为10%,说明大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油对黑翅土白蚁具有较强的触杀效果。大蒜精油、丁香油和肉桂油在处理黑翅土白蚁2 h后LC_(50)值(半致死量)分别为1.572、1.05和1.03mg·m L~(-1),说明肉桂油对黑翅土白蚁的毒性相对最大,触杀效果最好。此外,10 mg·m L~(-1)的大蒜精油、肉桂油、丁香油和印楝素油的驱避试验表明,处理4、6、8和12 h后,大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油三精油处理区的黑翅土白蚁数均显著低于对照区的,驱避率总体93%,而对应的印楝素油的驱避率总体28.5%,表明大蒜精油、丁香油和肉桂油三种植物精油对黑翅土白蚁均有显著的驱避活性。综上可知,四种植物精油中大蒜精油、肉桂油和丁香油在防治黑翅土白蚁方面应用潜力很好,是开发绿色环保白蚁防治药剂的可选材料。     

植物精油对草菇双额岩小粪蝇的产卵驱避效果及毒力测定

在室内采用选择性试验测定了14种植物精油单组分化合物对草菇双额岩小粪蝇Bifronsina bifrons(Stenhammar)的产卵驱避效果及在室外采用非选择试验测定了其中3种化合物的产卵驱避效果及毒力测定。结果表明:各精油浓度为10 000 mg/L时,α-松油醇、丁香酚和茴香醛表现出明显的产卵驱避效果,其选择性产卵驱避率分别是60.17%±9.57%、51.07%±2.63%和47.66%±7.10%,产卵量均显著低于对照;月桂烯、α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯和异松油烯产卵驱避作用效果不明显。α-松油醇、丁香酚和茴香醛对双额岩小粪蝇幼虫均具有一定的毒性,对幼虫的校正死亡率分别是5.11%±3.54%、42.68%±3.94%和14.47%±6.92%;丁香酚对双额岩小粪蝇幼虫的毒力最大,LC_(50)为16 965.159 mg/L。其次是茴香醛,LC_(50)为311 941.332 mg/L。α-松油醇毒力最差,LC_(50)为40 676 080.550 mg/L。进一步非选择性试验结果表明α-松油醇(1 250 mg/L～20 000 mg/L)、丁香酚(625 mg/L～20 000 mg/L)和茴香醛(2 500 mg/L～20 000 mg/L)对双额岩小粪蝇具有明显的产卵驱避效果,驱避效果随施用浓度的增加而显著增加。在浓度为20 000 mg/L时α-松油醇、丁香酚和茴香醛的非选择性产卵驱避率分别为69.75%±3.98%、60.75%±1.94%和57.23%±3.38%。本研究为草菇生产中双额岩小粪蝇的无公害防治及高效环保的植物源驱避剂的开发提供参考。     

四种植物精油成分对枸杞棉蚜的生物活性

【目的】研究植物精油4种成分丁香酚(eugenol)、α-松油醇(α-terpineol)、肉桂油(cinnamon oil)和香茅油(citronella oil)对枸杞棉蚜Aphis gossypii的生物活性以及马来酸二乙酯和水杨酸乙酯对这些化合物对枸杞棉蚜毒力的影响,为无公害防治枸杞(Lycium spp.)害虫奠定科学基础。【方法】采用二项选择法测定上述4种精油成分(1%)对枸杞棉蚜无翅成蚜的驱避作用;玻璃管药膜法进行生物测定,评估这4种化合物及其与马来酸二乙酯或水杨酸乙酯的混合液对枸杞棉蚜成蚜的毒力;采用生物化学方法分析这些化合物处理后枸杞棉蚜成蚜乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)和三磷酸腺苷酶(ATPase)的离体活性。【结果】α-松油醇(1%)对枸杞棉蚜无翅成蚜的驱避作用明显,1, 2和3 h的驱避率分别为58.1%, 58.6%和55.7%; 3 h时测试的4种化合物对枸杞棉蚜成蚜的驱避率由大到小依次为α-松油醇>香茅油>肉桂油>丁香酚。丁香酚对枸杞棉蚜成蚜的毒杀作用最强,处理4 h时的LC₅₀值为0.48 mL/L,肉桂油、α-松油醇、香茅油对枸杞棉蚜成蚜的LC₅₀值分别为1.23, 6.24和11.97 mL/L。对枸杞棉蚜成蚜的生物测定结果表明,马来酸二乙酯对香茅油、肉桂油、丁香酚和α-松油醇的增效比分别为2.75, 2.86, 1.78和1.56;水杨酸乙酯对香茅油、肉桂油、丁香酚和α-松油醇的增效比分别为3.41, 2.67, 2.00和1.89。毒力比结果表明,所测定的4种化合物对枸杞棉蚜的毒力相差49.9倍,丁香酚与马来酸二乙酯或水杨酸乙酯的混合液对枸杞棉蚜的触杀毒力最高。4种精油成分对枸杞棉蚜成蚜AChE和ATPase活性有不同的作用,丁香酚对AChE活性的抑制作用最强,但对ATPase活性表现为低浓度促进,高浓度抑制。【结论】α-松油醇对枸杞棉蚜驱避作用最好;丁香酚、α-松油醇、肉桂油和香茅油这4种精油成分对枸杞棉蚜的毒力相差很大;丁香酚与马来酸二乙酯或水杨酸乙酯混合后对枸杞棉蚜的毒力提高,具有进一步开发应用的潜力;所测精油成分对枸杞棉蚜离体AChE和ATPase活性有一定抑制作用。     

香茅醛对铜绿假单胞菌PAO1群体感应的抑制活性研究

多种植物精油及其活性成分被证明具有群体感应(quorum sensing,QS)抑制活性,可以通过抑制病原菌的QS系统,减弱甚至消除其毒性和致病性.探究香茅醛对铜绿假单胞菌PAO1 QS系统的抑制活性,研究香茅醛对QS调控的毒力基因和毒力因子的影响,对揭示香茅醛的作用机制有一定科学意义.改变香茅醛处理PAO1细胞的浓度...     

肉桂不同植物部位精油成分分析及抑菌活性研究

本研究选用肉桂(Cinnamomum cassia)的桂皮、桂叶、桂枝、果实、花萼5种植物部位为研究对象,通过气质联用对各部位精油的主要成分组成进行了分析比较。在此基础上,从抑菌圈、最低抑菌浓度(MIC)、最低杀菌浓度(MBC)等方面比较各部位精油对金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)、大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)抑制活性。结果表明,各部位精油中的主要成分均为反式肉桂醛、邻甲氧基肉桂醛等,但各成分的含量存在明显差异,以花萼中的反式肉桂醛含量最高(87.68%)。各部位精油对两种供试微生物均具有显著抑菌效果,以桂枝中所含精油的抑菌效果最佳,对E.coli和S.aureus的MIC分别为0.05%和0.025%,MBC同样也分别为0.05%和0.025%。     

栽培型和野生型黄花蒿提取物对朱砂叶螨杀螨活性比较

研究了野生型和栽培型黄花蒿叶丙酮提取物对朱砂叶螨的生物活性.结果表明:栽培型和野生型48 h的LC50分别为0.295和0.567 mg·ml-1,以栽培型的杀螨毒力较高;对2种提取物进行柱层析分离,野生型最终分离出19个馏分,栽培型分离出17个馏分,其中野生型的第11馏分与栽培型的第13馏分的杀螨活性在2.5 mg·ml-1,处理48 h的校正死亡率均为100%,与其他组分存在显著性差异;将杀螨活性较好的馏分进行毒力测定得出,处理48 h,野生型馏分11的LC50为0.120 mg·ml-1;栽培型馏分10、12和13的LC50分别为0.144、0.163和0.117 mg·ml-1.表明栽培型黄花蒿叶丙酮提取物对朱砂叶螨的触杀活性优于野生型.     

阿维菌素与植物精油复配对朱砂叶螨杀螨的增效作用研究

为了得到对朱砂叶螨(Tetranychuscinnabarinus)具有较好杀螨活性的植物精油与阿维菌素复配配方,并为杀螨剂开发应用提供指导,本研究采用喷雾法测定了柠檬草、广藿香、山鸡椒、亚洲薄荷植物精油及阿维菌素对朱砂叶螨的毒力,分别采用共毒因子法和共毒系数法评价了山鸡椒和亚洲薄荷精油对阿维菌素的增效作用和复配最佳配比.结果表明,柠檬草精油和广藿香精油基本无杀螨活性,山鸡椒精油、亚洲薄荷精油处理朱砂叶螨24h后LC50分别为772.801mg/L和1040.187mg/L.阿维菌素与亚洲薄荷1∶272,1∶679复配具有增效作用.阿维菌素与亚洲薄荷1∶400复配时共毒系数最大,可达160.因此,阿维菌素与亚洲薄荷1∶400复配防治朱砂叶螨具有明显增效作用,这为杀螨剂的开发应用研究提供了参考.     

抗厌氧菌中草药的系列研究：Ⅱ.桂皮醛抗厌氧菌的实验研究

为探索肉桂在防治厌氧菌感染应用于临床的可能性,作者进一步用122株厌氧菌检测肉桂的抗菌活性。肉桂起抗菌作用的主要成分是桂皮醛。本文用商品桂皮醛,加吐温80助溶,配成含桂皮醛512μg/ml、256μg/ml 等一系列培养液,进行试管法测定 MIC、MBC。结果 MIC 在128μg/ml 以下者占所试菌株的76%,在256μg/ml 以下占96.7%。脆弱类杆菌、产黑素类杆菌相对更敏感。MBC 一般显著高于 MIC,因此桂皮醛主要是抑菌作用。从细菌的形态学观察,推论桂皮醛主要是作用细菌的胞壁,鉴于桂皮醛有一定毒性,作者建议可作为局部抗厌氧菌药物。     

植物精油对土耳其扁谷盗的驱避和熏蒸活性研究

本文研究了34种植物精油对土耳其扁谷盗成虫的驱避和熏蒸毒杀活性。结果表明,肉桂精油对土耳其扁谷盗成虫具有良好的驱避活性,24-48 h内,75%的个体选择了未添加植物精油的小麦;72 h后选择对照组的土耳其扁谷盗成虫降至63.33%,但仍有显著的驱避活性。孜然、松油和黑胡椒精油则对土耳其扁谷盗成虫表现出良好的引诱活性。在34种供试植物精油中,大蒜和芥末精油对土耳其扁谷盗成虫表现出强烈的熏蒸毒杀作用。当植物精油体积分浓度为10μL/L时,这两种植物精油在48 h内对供试害虫的校正死亡率保持在98%以上。进一步的毒力测试结果表明,在24 h、48 h及72 h处理时间下,大蒜精油对土耳其扁谷盗成虫的LC_(50)值分别为0.61、0.59及0.49μL/L,而芥末精油在相同处理时间条件下的LC_(50)值分别为4.35、4.28及4.16μL/L,大蒜精油对土耳其扁谷盗具有更强的熏蒸毒杀活性。     

Bioactivity of selected plant essential oils against the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti larvae

The bioactivity of 14 essential oils from five plants has been studied using the brine shrimp lethality test and the Aedes aegypti larvicidal assay. All essential oils screened had LC50 values smaller than 200 microg/ml, showing significant lethality against brine shrimp. In addition, nine of the 14 essential oils tested showed toxicity against the fourth-instar A. aegypti larvae in 24 h (LC50<100 microg/ml). Of these, the leaf and bark essential oils of Cryptomeria japonica demonstrated high larvicidal activity, the most active being the leaf essential oil of C. japonica, with a LC50=37.6 microg/ml (LC90=71.9 microg/ml), followed by the bark essential oil of C. japonica also showing high activity against A. aegypti larvae, with a LC50=48.1 microg/ml (LC90=130.3 microg/ml). The results obtained from this study suggest that the leaf and bark essential oils of C. japonica are promising as larvicides against A. aegypti larvae and could be useful in the search for new natural larvicidal compounds.     

Insecticidal, repellent and oviposition-deterrent activity of selected essential oils against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus

Essential oils extracted from 10 medicinal plants were evaluated for larvicidal, adulticidal, ovicidal, oviposition-deterrent and repellent activities towards three mosquito species; Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The essential oils of Juniperus macropoda and Pimpinella anisum were highly effective as both larvicidal and ovicidal. The essential oil of P. anisum showed toxicity against 4th instar larvae of A. stephensi and A. aegypti with equivalent LD95 values of 115.7 microg/ml, whereas it was 149.7 microg/ml against C. quinquefasciatus larvae. Essential oils of Zingiber officinale and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to be ovicidal and repellent, respectively towards the three mosquito species. The essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum resulted into highest repellent (RD95) values of 49.6, 53.9 and 44.2 mg/mat against A. stephensi, A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, respectively apart from oviposition-deterrent potential.     

Fumigant toxicity of plant essential oils against Camptomyia corticalis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The toxicity of 98 plant essential oils against third instars of cecidomyiid gall midge Camptomyia corticalis (Loew) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) was examined using a vapor-phase mortality bioassay. Results were compared with that of a conventional insecticide dichlorvos. Based on 24-h LC50 values, all essential oils were less toxic than dichlorvos (LC50, 0.027 mg/cm3). The LC50 of caraway (Carum carvi L.) seed, armoise (Artemisia vulgaris L.), clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), lemongrass [Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf], niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora Gaertner), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), cassia especial (Cinnamomum cassia Nees ex Blume), Dalmatian sage (Salvia offcinalis L.), red thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), bay [Pimenta racemosa (P. Mill.) J.W. Moore], garlic (Allium sativum L.), and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) oils is between 0.55 and 0.60 mg/cm3. The LC50 of cassia (C. cassia, pure and redistilled), white thyme (T. vulgaris), star anise (Illicium verum Hook.f.), peppermint (Mentha X piperita L.), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) bark, sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), Roman chamomile [Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.], eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.),Virginian cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana L.), pimento berry [Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.], summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) oils is between 0.61 and 0.99 mg/cm3. All other essential oils tested exhibited low toxicity to the cecidomyiid larvae (LC50, >0.99 mg/cm3). Global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic insecticides in the agricultural environment justify further studies on the active essential oils as potential larvicides for the control of C. corticalis populations as fumigants with contact action.     

Fumigant toxicity of plant essential oils to Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Orius strigicollis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

The fumigant toxicity of 92 plant essential oils to adult Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Orius strigicollis Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) was examined by using a vapor phase toxicity bioassay and compared with those of dichlorvos, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, and thiamethoxam, four commonly used insecticides. Responses varied according to oil type and insect species. As judged by 24-h LC50 values, pennyroyal oil (2.63 mg/liter air) was the most toxic fumigant and was 23.6-fold more toxic than dichlorvos (62.09 mg/liter air) against adult T. palmi. Potent fumigant toxicity (LC50, 11.03-19.21 mg/liter air) was observed in armoise, basil, cedarleaf, coriander, cypress, howood, hyssop, marjoram, myrtle, niaouli, rosemary, and sage (Dalmatia) oils. Neither emamectin benzoate, spinosad, nor thiamethoxam exhibited fumigant action. Against adult O. strigicollis, dichlorvos (LC50, 6.3 x 10(-6) mg/liter air) was the most toxic fumigant, whereas the LC50 values of the 13 essential oils ranged from 17.29 to 158.22 mg/liter air. O. strigicollis was 1.4-22.1 times less susceptible than T. palmi to the essential oils. The essential oils described merit further study as potential fumigants for the control of T. palmi in greenhouses.     

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。     

Insecticidal activities of leaf essential oils from Cinnamomum osmophloeum against three mosquito species

The larvicidal activities of leaf essential oils and their constituents from six chemotypes of indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh.) trees were evaluated against three mosquito species. Results of larvicidal tests demonstrated that the leaf essential oils of cinnamaldehyde type and cinnamaldehyde/cinnamyl acetate type had an excellent inhibitory effect against Aedes albopictus larvae, and their LC(50) values in 24h were 40.8 microg/ml (LC(90)=81.7 microg/ml) and 46.5 microg/ml (LC(90)=83.3 microg/ml), respectively. Results of the 24-h mosquito larvicidal assays also showed that the effective constituents in leaf essential oils were trans-cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde and that the LC(50) values of these constituents against A. albopictus larvae were below 50 mug/ml. In addition, cinnamaldehyde type leaf essential oil and trans-cinnamaldehyde have also exhibited great larvicidal performance against Culex quinquefasciatus and Armigeres subalbatus larvae. Comparisons of mosquito larvicidal activity of trans-cinnamaldehyde congeners revealed that alpha-methyl cinnamaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and trans-cinnamaldehyde exhibited strong mosquito larvicidal activity.     

Fumigant toxicity of the essential oils of some African plants against Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto

The essential oils from 15 species of African plants selected by ethnobotanical considerations and field inspection (odour and presence of insects) were screened for fumigant toxicity to Anopheles gambiae s.s. in the laboratory. Essential oils from 6 species showed varying levels of toxicity, with Conyza newii (Compositae) and Plectranthus marruboides (Labiateae) being the most potent. Fifty compounds representing approximately 74% of the essential oil of C. newii were identified by GC-MS and GC-coinjection (for available standards). The major and some of the minor constituents of the two oils were assayed at different doses. Two compounds, from C. newii, perillaldehyde and perillyl alcohol, exhibited higher fumigant toxicity (LD50 = 1.05 x 10(-4) and 2.52 x 10(-4) mg cm(-3), respectively) than the parent oil (2.0 x 10(-3) mg cm(-3)). GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of P. marruboides gave results similar to that previously reported. Interestingly, none of its components were active, suggesting that the insecticidal activity of the oil results from either some of the minor components or as a blend effect of some of the major constituents.     

Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from Schizonepeta tenuifolia against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae)

Plant essential oils from 21 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against larvae of Lycoriella ingenua Dufour (Diptera: Sciaridae) by using a fumigation bioassay. Good insecticidal activity against larvae of L. ingenua was achieved with essential oils of Acorus gramineus Solander, Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briquet, and Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle at 25 microg/ml air. S. tenuifolia oil showed the most potent insecticidal activity among the plant essential oils. At 12.5 microg/ml air concentration, S. tenuifolia oil caused 96.6% mortality, but mortality decreased to 60% at 3.125 microg/ml air. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to identification of three major compounds from S. tenuifolia oil. These three compounds were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against larvae of L. ingenua and compared with the toxicity of dichlorvos. Pulegone was the most toxic, followed by menthone and limonene with LC50 values of 1.21, 6.03, and 15.42 microg/ml, respectively. LC50 of dichlorvos was 8.13 microg/ml. Effects of S. tenuifolia and its components on growth of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer also were investigated.     

Larvicidal activity of essential oils extracted from commonly used herbs in Lebanon against the seaside mosquito, Ochlerotatus caspius

This study investigates the potential of essential oils from commonly used medical and culinary herbs in Lebanon as an environmentally safe measure to control the seaside mosquito, Ochlerotatus caspius. The composition of essential oils extracted from parsley seeds and leaves, alpine thyme inflorescences, anis seeds, and coriander fruits were analyzed by GC-MS, and the major components of these oils were found to be thymol, sabinene, carvacrol, anethole, and linalool, respectively. Mosquito larvicidal assays were conducted to evaluate the LC(50) and LC(90) after 24 and 48h of the essential oils and their major constituents. All of the tested oils proved to have strong larvicidal activity (LC(50): 15-156ppm) against Oc. caspius fourth instars, with the most potent oil being thyme inflorescence extract, followed by parsley seed oil, aniseed oil, and then coriander fruit oil. Toxicity of each oil major constituent was also estimated and compared to a reported larvicidal compound, eugenol.     

Chemical variation of essential oil constituents of Ocimum gratissimum L. from Benin, and impact on antimicrobial properties and toxicity against Artemia salina leach

To determine the period of harvest that optimizes the antimicrobial activities of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. from Benin, aerial plant parts were collected at two vegetative stages (pre- and full-flowering) and three sampling times (7?am, 1?pm, and 7?pm). Extraction by hydrodistillation yielded between 0.65 and 0.78% of essential oils. Characterization of the oils by GC-FID and GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of monoterpenes (87.26-93.81%), sesquiterpenes (5.57-11.34%), and aliphatic compounds (0.15-0.18%), with p-cymene (1; 28.08-53.82%), thymol (2; 3.32-29.13%), γ-terpinene (3; 1.11-10.91%), α-thujene (4; 3.37-10.77%), and β-myrcene (5; 4.24-8.28%) as major components. Two chemotypes were observed, i.e., a p-cymene/thymol and a p-cymene chemotype, for plants harvested at 7?am for the former and at 1?pm or 7?pm for the latter, respectively. The oils were fungicidal against Candida albicans, with the sample from full-flowering plants collected at 7?am being the most active (MIC?=?0.06±0.00?mg/ml). The chemical variation of the oils also influenced the antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus aureus; the most active oil was obtained from plants at the pre-flowering stage collected at 7?am (MIC=0.24±0.01?mg/ml). Escherichia coli was insensitive to the chemical variation of the oils (MICs of ca. 0.48±0.02?mg/ml for all oils). Moreover, the essential oils showed low toxicity against Artemia salina Leach larvae, with LC(50) values in the range of 43-146?μg/ml. This is the first study of the interaction between the daytime of collection and vegetative stage of the plants and the antimicrobial properties and toxicity of the essential oil of O. gratissimum from Benin.