Effect of Botanical Extracts and Essential Oils on Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Mustard is an important oilseed crop in India. Alternaria leaf blight caused by Alternaria brassicae is an economically important disease of oilseed brassicas as it reduces the quality and quantity of the seeds. Botanical extracts and essential oils were tested on Alternaria brassicae at different concentrations to evaluate the effect in vitro by poison food technique in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The study was done at the Department of Plant Pathology laboratory, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences during 2021-2022. The results revealed that all the botanical extracts and essential oils tested significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of Alternaria brassicae. Among the botanical extracts, the highest mycelial growth inhibition was found in garlic bulb extract @ 15% (93.11%), followed by garlic bulb extract @ 10% (87.33%). Among essential oils the maximum mycelial growth inhibition per cent was observed in eucalyptus oil @ 3% (95.77%), followed by eucalyptus oil @ 2% (88.22%). The higher concentration of all the botanical extracts and essential oils shows significantly higher per cent mycelial growth inhibition as compared to their lower levels.

Integrated Management Practices against Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) in India: A Review

Locusts are the most dangerous agricultural pests. They are belonging to family Acrididae. Gregarious locusts travel in swarms from one location to another in adult form. The desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal), is one of the grasshopper species that cause crop damage and can fly up to 150 km in the direction of the wind. The present state of knowledge on its biological regulation employing microbes and plant extracts is discussed. Metarhizium flavoviride was among the first fungi to be identified in the laboratory and field as a bio-control agent against desert locust. Following extensive investigation, with integrated pest management stratedies using these bio-controls would be a viable option for controlling desert locust infestations. Against the desert locust, IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approaches that emphasize the successful combination of chemical and biological insecticides with prediction and monitoring technology have been encouraged. Recent experimental investigations and researches are mainly focusing on identifying viable answers through financial collaboration between governmental and non-governmental organizations. The authors highlighted the loss in the agricultural sector due to desert locust infestation, as well as its sophisticated control and management solutions, after evaluating publications from numerous journals, magazines, and symposia.

Management of Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) (Pulmonata: Achatinidae) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) / Manejo de Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) (Pulmonata: Achatinidae) em alface (Lactuca sativa L)

The giant African snail Achatina fulica was introduced in Brazil and since then has become an important pest, because of its resistance to abiotic conditions, hermaphroditism, polyphagia, and absence of natural predators. This study aims to evaluate the control of A. fulica in lettuce, in Alagoas, Brazil. Bioassays for the determination of lethal dose and lethal time to adults of A. fulica and the egg mortality were performed in the laboratory by applying commercial synthetic products, commercial and non-commercial alcoholic botanical extracts on mollusk adults. Additionally, the protein concentration, lipase activity and enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), in the stomach, intestine, nervous ganglion and liver were determined. The alcoholic extract of Capsicum frutescens caused higher mortality of A. fulica, and the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens and Piper tuberculatum oil can prevent the hatching of A. fulica. The lipase activity was present and in greater quantities in tissues, stomach, intestine, liver and ganglia of A. fulica, before and after exposure of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens. The enzymatic activity of BuChE was present in the ganglia and liver of A. fulica, prior to exposure of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens. The enzymatic activity of AChE was present only in the ganglion and absent in liver of A. fulica, prior to exposure of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens. The concentration of 10% of the alcoholic extract of C. frutescens caused 84% mortality of adult A. fulica in lettuce in field conditions.(AU)

O caramujo-gigante-africano (Achatina fulica) foi introduzido no Brasil e desde então se tornou uma importante praga em virtude de sua resistência a condições abióticas, hermafroditismo, polifagia e ausência de predadores naturais. Este estudo visa avaliar o controle de A. fulica em alface no estado de Alagoas, Brasil. Bioensaios para a determinação da dose e de tempo letais para adultos de A. fulica e a mortalidade de ovos foram realizados em laboratório com a aplicação de produtos sintéticos comerciais, extratos botânicos alcoólicos comerciais e não comerciais sobre caramujos adultos. Adicionalmente, determinaram-se a concentração proteica, a atividade lipásica e as enzimas acetilcolinesterase e butirilcolinesterase, no estômago, intestino, gânglio nervoso e fígado. O extrato alcoólico de Capsicum frutescens causou maior mortalidade de A. fulica, e o extrato alcoólico de C. frutescens e Piper tuberculatum mostrou que pode prevenir a eclosão de A. fulica. A atividade lipase estava presente e em maior quantidade nos tecidos, estômago, intestino, fígado e gânglios de A. fulica, antes e depois da exposição do extrato alcoólico de C. frutescens. A atividade enzimática da butirilcolinesterase estava presente nos gânglios e fígado, antes da exposição do extrato alcoólico de C. frutescens. A atividade enzimática de acetilcolinesterase estava presente apenas no gânglio e ausente no fígado de A. fulica, antes da exposição do extrato alcoólico de C. frutescens. A concentração de 10% do extrato alcoólico de C. frutescens causou 84% de mortalidade de adultos de A. Fulica em alface em condições de campo.(AU)

Bilberry Products: Modern Characterization of Commercial Extracts / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Wild north European bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is one of the richest botanical sources of anthocyanins, a class of molecules responsible for the color of fruits and characterized by a strong antioxidant activity.From a biological point of view, anthocyanins are endowed with several diverse activities and high quality bilberry extracts have been clinically studied in conditions like chronic venous insufficiency and diabetic retinopathy.Given the complexity of the industrial bilberries supply chain and thereof the high cost of their anthocyanins rich extracts, the dietary supplements market is facing a dramatic presence of adulterated extracts, either due to the use of anthocyanins from cheaper sources not related to bilberry or of chemical dyes.Although the current landscape is quite challenging, methods to detect the adulterations are at hand and need to be routinely implemented along the supply chain up to the finished product on the shelf.This review summarizes the market situation and gives a picture of the most recent analytical techniques available to the industry in order to spot these counterfeits and guarantee to the consumers a better quality and consistence of the products.

Ação repelente, inseticida e fagoinibidora de extratos de pimenta dedo-de-moça sobre o gorgulho do milho / Pepper extracts as a repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding activity on the maize weevil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito repelente, inseticida e fagoinibidor de extratos de pimenta dedo-de-moça Capsicum baccatum (Willd.) Eshb. (Solanaceae) sobre o gorgulho do milho Sitophillus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). O efeito repelente/atraente foi avaliado utilizando quatro arenas/repetições, nas quais foram adicionados os extratos vegetais nas concentrações 0; 2,5; 5; 10 e 20% e 140 insetos e, após 24 horas, efetuou-se a contagem de insetos. Para a atividade inseticida, em recipientes plásticos, aplicou-se 1 mL do extrato nas mesmas concentrações já descritas sobre insetos adultos e, após agitação de 10 segundos, foram transferidos para placas de Petri, utilizando 4 repetições, com 20 insetos cada. A mortalidade foi avaliada diariamente durante 10 dias. Para o teste de fagoinibição, os insetos avaliados na atividade inseticida foram pesados em balança analítica, sendo utilizados quatro insetos de cada repetição. Verificaram-se que os extratos aquosos de sementes de pimenta apresentaram atividade repelente na concentração de 20% e apresentaram atividade inseticida independente da concentração. Efeito correlato foi obtido com extratos alcoólicos de frutos, que apresentaram atividade inseticida e fagoinibidora na concentração de 20%. A utilização de extratos vegetais de pimenta dedo-de-moça constitui alternativa de controle sobre o gorgulho do milho.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate thee repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding effect of red pepper Capsicum baccatum (Willd.) Eshb. (Solanaceae) extracts on the maize weevil Sitophillus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The determination of the repellent effect of plant extracts was assessed using four arenas/replicates in which the extracts were added at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20% and 140 insects; and 24 hours after, we performed the counting of insects. For the insecticidal activity, in plastic containers, 1 mL of the extract was applied, at the concentrations previously mentioned, on adult insects; and after stirring for 10 seconds they were transferred to Petri dishes, using four replicates of 20 insects each. Assessment of mortality was performed daily for ten days. To test the anti-feeding activity, insects evaluated for insecticidal activity were weighed on an analytical balance, four insects per replicate. It was found that the aqueous extracts of seeds of pepper had repellent activity at a concentration of 20%; and the insecticide activity was independent of concentration. The correlative effect was obtained with fruit alcoholic extracts, which showed insecticidal and anti-feeding activity at a concentration of 20%. The use of red pepper plant extracts could be an alternative to control the maize weevil.(AU)

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner e Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) sob ação de extratos vegetais / Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) under the action of plant extracts

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extratos vegetais aquosos de jambolão, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), mamona, Ricinus communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae), uva-do-japão, Hovenia dulcis (Thumberg) (Rhamnaceae) e urucum (Bixa orellana (L.) (Bixaceae), na concentração de 10%, sobre Bacillus thuringiensis subesp. kurstaki(Btk) e sobre Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) e a associação destes sobre A. gemmatalis, em condições de laboratório. Os tratamentos constaram dos extratos aquosos e Btk isoladamente e a mistura de cada extrato com Btk. Estes foram incubados em agitador horizontal (30 ± 2°C, 150 rpm por 2 h) e, em seguida, aplicados sobre cubos de dieta artificial para A. gemmatalis, em placas de Petri. Como testemunha utilizou-se água destilada esterilizada. Cada tratamento constou de 4 placas de Petri (repetição), com 25 lagartas de segundo ínstar cada. Estas foram acondicionadas em câmara climatizada (27 ± 2°C umidade relativa 70 ± 10% e fotofase 14 h), avaliando-se a mortalidade após 24, 48 e 72 h. Também foram avaliados o percentual de empupamento e o peso das pupas dos insetos sobreviventes. Nenhum dos extratos apresentou efeito inseticida para A. gemmatalis e efeito negativo para os cristais de Btk. A mortalidade acumulada causada pelos extratos de uva-do-japão, jambolão, urucum e mamona foram, respectivamente, de 54,73; 46,09; 47,19 e 65,73%; diferindo significativamente da testemunha (95,74%). O peso médio das pupas não diferiu significativamente entre os tratamentos. A associação dos extratos de uva-do-japão, colorau e mamona com Btk provocou mortalidade acumulada de 100% em A. gemmatalis.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous plant extracts of jambolan, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), castor bean, Ricinus communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae), grape japan, Hovenia dulcis (Thumberg) (Rhamnaceae) and urucum, Bixa orellana (L.) (Bixaceae) at a concentration of 10% on Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki(Btk) and on Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), and the association of these on A. gemmatalis. The treatments consisted of aqueous extracts and Btk alone and the mixture of extract with Btk. These were incubated in a horizontal shaker (30 ± 2°C, 150 rpm for 2 h) and then applied to artificial diet cubes for A. gemmatalis in Petri dishes. As a control it was used sterile distilled water. Each treatment consisted of 4 Petri dishes (repetition) with 25 second instar larvae each. The disches were placed in a climatic chamber (27 ± 2°C, relative humidity 70 ± 10% and 14 h photoperiod), assessing the mortality after 24, 48 and 72 h. The percentage pupal and pupae weight of surviving insect were also assessed. None of the extracts showed insecticidal eff for A. gemmatalis and negative eff for crystals Btk. The cumulative mortality caused by extracts of grape japan, jambolan, urucum and castor bean were respectively 54.73; 46.09; 47.19 and 65.73%, diff significantly from the control (95.74%). The average weight of pupae did not diff significantly among treatments. The association of extracts of grape japan, urucun and castor bean with Btk caused 100% cumulative mortality in A. gemmatalis.(AU)

Inhibition of the growth and development of mosquito larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) treated with extract from leaves of Pseudocalymma alliaceum (Bignonaceae)

OBJECTIVE@#To determine larvicidal activity of the essential oil, hydrolat and botanical extracts derived from leaves of Pseudocalymma alliaceum on mosquito larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus.@*METHODS@#Groups of twenty larvae were used in the larvicidal assays. The mortality, relative growth rate, the larval and pupal duration and viability was estimated. The essential oil was analyzed by solid phase microextraction using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.@*RESULTS@#Essential oil at 800 ppm showed larvicidal activity at 24 h with lethal values of LC50 and LC90 of 267.33 and 493.63 ppm. The hydrolat at 20% and 10% on 2nd stage larvae showed 100% effectiveness after 24 h. The aqueous extract at 10% had a relative growth index of 0.58, while the ethanolic and methanolic extract obtained values of 0.76 and 0.70 and control reached 0.99. Larvae treated with 10% of methanol, ethanol and aqueous extract showed a reduction in larval duration of 5.00, 2.20 and 4.35 days; ethanol extract at 1% provoke decrease of 2.40 days in the development and exhibited an increment of 3.30 days when treated with 0.01%. Aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts at 10% reduced in 6.15, 3.42 and 5.57 days pupal development. The main compounds were diallyl disulfide (50.05%), diallyl sulfide (11.77%) and trisulfide di-2-propenyl (10.37%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The study demonstrated for the first time, the larvicidal activity of the essential oil and hydrolat of Pseudocalymma alliaceum; aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts inhibited the normal growth and development of mosquito larvae, prolonging and delaying larval and pupal duration.

Potential of aromatic and medicinal plant extracts from Cerrado biome to control the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis / Potencial de extractos de plantas aromáticas y medicinales del bioma Cerrado para controlar la oruga Anticarsia gemmatalis

Anticarsia gemmatalis was treated with aromatic and medicinal plant extracts from Cerrado biome: Acisanthera sp., Adenocalymma nodosum, Bidens sulphurea, Lepidoploa aurea, Dimorphandra mollis, and Salvertia convallariaeodora. Extracts of astilbin from D. mollis or L. aurea were the most toxic to eggs and have reduced the sex ratio of A. gemmatalis pupae. Extracts of B. sulphurea, astilbin from D. mollis or S. convallariaeodora reduced the weight of male pupae and those of astilbin from D. mollis, the weight of female pupae of A. gemmatalis. The viability of the stages from egg to caterpillar was lower with extracts of astilbin from D. mollis or L. aurea; from caterpillar to pupa with Acisanthera sp. or astilbin from D. mollis and from pupa to adult with Acisanthera sp., A. nodosum, B. sulphurea or astilbin from D. mollis. Extracts of astilbin from D. mollis and L. aurea presented greater potential for future studies on toxicity of A. gemmatalis.

Anticarsia gemmatalis fue tratada con extractos de plantas aromáticas y medicinales del bioma Cerrado: Acisanthera sp., Adenocalymma nodosum, Bidens sulphurea, Lepidoploa aurea, Dimorphandra mollis, y Salvertia convallariaeodora. Extractos de astilbin de D. mollis o L. aurea fueron los más tóxicos para los huevos y han reducido la proporción sexual de pupas de A. gemmatalis. Extractos de B. sulphurea, astilbin de D. mollis o S. convallariaeodora redujeron el peso de las pupas macho y el de astilbin de D. mollis, el peso de las pupas hembras de A. gemmatalis. La viabilidad de los estadíos de huevo a oruga fue menor con extractos de astilbin de D. mollis o L. aurea; de oruga a crisálida con Acisanthera sp. o astilbin de D. mollis y de pupa a adulto con Acisanthera sp., A. nodosum, B. sulphurea o astilbin de D. mollis. Extractos de astilbin de D. mollis y L. aurea presentan un mayor potencial para futuros estudios sobre la toxicidad sobre A. gemmatalis.

Establishing of Good Extracting Practice of the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Facilitating the Stan-dardization of Chinese Botanical Extracts / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:In order to enhance the quality control of Chinese botanical extracts and to facilitate the entry of Chinese botanical drugs and traditional Chinese medicine into the international market.METHODS:The market overview of the botanical extracts was expounded,problems existed in the quality control of the Chinese botanical extracts were analyzed,and the significance and key points in establishing Good Extracting Practice(GEP)of the traditional Chinese medicine were discussed.RESULTS&CONCLUSION:The quality control of the Chinese botanical extracts must be emphasized,which means to establish the feasible quality standard;the production process should be optimized and the corresponding‘Standard Operating Procedure’should be formed;advanced technology and facilities should be adopted to improve the content of hi-tech,the toxic substances should be strictly controlled;the quality of the raw material should be guaranteed,the connection between which and the‘Good Agricultural Practice for Chinese Crude Drugs'should be strengthened.