Assessment of the Toxicity of Natural Oils from Mentha piperita, Pinus roxburghii, and Rosa spp. Against Three Stored Product Insects

Abstract

Three natural oils extracted from Mentha piperita, Pinus roxburghii, and Rosa spp. were assessed in order to determine their insecticidal activity against the adults of three stored product insects: the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.), the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica, Fabricius), and the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum, Herbst.). By Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, the main compounds in the n-hexane oil from Rosa spp. were determined to be methyl eugenol (52.17%), phenylethyl alcohol (29.92%), diphenyl ether (7.75%), and geraniol (5.72%); in the essential oil from M. piperita, they were menthone (20.18%), 1,8-cineole (15.48%), menthyl acetate (13.13%), caryophyllene (4.82%), β-pinene (4.37%), and D-limonene (2.81%); and from the foliage of P. roxburghii, they were longifolene (19.52%), caryophyllene (9.45%), Δ-3-carene (7.01%), α-terpineol (6.75%), and γ-elemene (3.88%). S. oryzae and R. dominica were reared using sterilized wheat grains, and T. castaneum was reared on wheat flour mixed with yeast (10:1, w/w), all under laboratory conditions (27 ± 1 °C and 65% ± 5% Relative humidity (R.H). Two toxicity bioassays were used, as well as contact using thin film residues and fumigation bioassays. The results indicated that M. piperita caused a high toxicity for S. oryzae compared to other insects. High significant variations were observed between the tested M. piperita doses against the stored insects, and this natural material could be used to control insects that infect the grains. Also, the data indicated that the Rosa spp. oil had a low-toxicity effect against these insects compared to other oils. We recommend using natural oils against the stored weevils and petals, rather than the chemical agent, so as to serve human health.

Post-Harvest Enhancing and Botrytis cinerea Control of Strawberry Fruits Using Low Cost and Eco-Friendly Natural Oils

“…Recently, some EOs have been reported to be effective in reducing decay, in quality maintenance and in the essential improvement of post-harvest life of many fruits (grape, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and fresh-cut fruit) [17]. In particular, aldehydes, phenols and ketones considerably inhibit pathogen growth [18][19][20][21][22]. Thymol, carvacrol and p-anisaldehyde have proven fungicidal activity and the EO rich in these components showed the highest inhibitory activity against many post-harvest pathogens, such as Botrytis spp.…”

The Toxicity of Eichhornia crassipes Fractionated Extracts against Aphis craccivora and Its Safety in Albino Rats

“…Recently, various plant materials are being used as pesticides (insecticides). Mackled et al [ 39 ] found that the essential oils of Mentha piperita , Pinus roxburghii , and Rosa spp. were highly effective against some stored product pests.…”

Insecticidal activity of Lantana camara extract oil on controlling maize grain weevils

“…The photochemical analysis of leaf crude oil was performed on GC-MS which resulted in the identification of a total of 43 major components with different retention time. The identified compounds and their relative contents are listed in Tables 2 to 4 and Figure 2(a) to (c). The percentage peak area was taken as percentage composition of the constituents.…”

“…However, it suffers major economic loss caused by grain infesting insect. The cumulative effects of feeding, breeding, transmission of toxic, saprophytic fungi, and associated changes in the microecological conditions in the grain bulk 4 cause deterioration process in the grain. 1,5 It has been estimated that about 15-20% of Ethiopian stored grain agricultural product is lost every year due to weevil infestation.…”