Nematicidal Activity of 2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde and Methylisothiocyanate from Caper (Capparis spinosa) against Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

New pesticides based on plant extracts have recently gained interest in the development of nontoxic crop protection chemicals. Numerous research studies are focused on the isolation and identification of new active compounds derived from plants. In this manuscript we report about the use of the Mediterranean species Capparis spinosa as a potent natural nematicidal agent against the root knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita. Leaves, stems, and caper buds of Capparis spinosa were used to obtain their methanol extracts (LME, SME, BME) that were successively in vitro tested against second stage nematode juveniles (J2). In terms of paralysis induction, the methanol extract of the stem part (SME) was found more effective against M. incognita and then the caper methanol buds and leaves extracts. The chemical composition analysis of the extracts carried out by GC/MS and LC/MS techniques showed that methylisothiocyanate was the main compound of SME. The EC50 for SME after 3 days of immersion was 215 ± 36 mg/L. The constituent components of SME such as 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde and methylisothiocyanate were successively in vitro tested for their nematicidal activity against J2. Both compounds induced paralysis on root knot nematodes ranking first (EC50 = 7.9 ± 1.6, and 14.1 ± 1.9 mg/L respectively) for M. incognita. Moreover, 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde showed a strong fumigant activity.

Nematicidal activity of acetophenones and chalcones against Meloidogyne incognita and structure–activity considerations

“…Thirty chalcones were designed and six acetophenones were selected on the basis of our previous bioactivity results for assay of their nematicidal activity. The considerable toxicological activity of these 36 compounds against M. incognita indicates that these substances could potentially serve as integrated pest management tools.…”

“…Notwithstanding the fact that plant secondary metabolites have not managed to reach the market yet, they have gained much scientific interest in recent years for their ability to control soil nematodes sustainably . On the basis of our recent research results, plant secondary metabolites belonging to the chemical groups of the α , β ‐unsaturated aldehydes, ketones, lactones and isothiocyanates show significant activity against Meloidogyne species . Among the various types of chemically mediated plant resistance to nematodes, the most important is the production of toxins, followed by the lack of necessary compounds for nematode development in the host, lack of attraction and hypersensitivity .…”

Pharmacological Effects of Capparis spinosa L.

“…Methanolic extracts of different parts of C . spinosa (leaves, stems and buds) were assayed as nematicidal agents against the root knot Meloidogyne incognita by the J2 paralysis bioassay (Caboni et al ., ). Stem extract was the most effective in inducing paralysis in second stage nematode juveniles (J2).…”

“…Moreover the former compound showed strong fumigant activity. With regards to the mode of action of these compounds, authors assumed that they act as inhibitor of vacuolar ATPase enzymes (Caboni et al ., ). These results may support future applications of caper as a biopesticide for crop protection.…”

Transcriptome analysis and codominant markers development in caper, a drought tolerant orphan crop with medicinal value

“…Being rich in bio-active compounds, capers have many important medicinal properties 18–28 . Moreover, like other Mediterranean species 29–31 , caper is also a source of natural compounds with allelopathic potential 32,33 . Therefore, the extracts from C. spinosa could also be used to develop natural products employable in an eco-friendly agriculture.…”