A comparison of polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity and insecticidal properties of Jatropha species and wild Ricinus communis L. found in Mauritius

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different Jatropha species and Ricinus communis (castor) (R. communis) growing in Mauritius. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants solvent extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and Antibacterial activity (MIC-microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were studied. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts against larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera, Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits were also demonstrated. Results: Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. Jatropha multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. Both R. communis and Jatropha multifida were proved to be very effective as biopesticide against different types of insect larvae. Conclusions: This study was able to demonstrate that Jatropha species as well as R. communis growing in Mauritius possess antimicrobial, phytochemical and insecticidal properties.

Antimicrobial, phytochemical and larvicidal properties of Jatropha multifida Linn

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different extracts of Jatropha multifida (J. multifida) in Mauritius. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude solvent extracts of J. multifida. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and antibacterial activity (microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were reported. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts were tested against the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits. Results: Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. J. multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. The plant also showed good larvacidal activity against Bactrocera zonata. Conclusions: This paper reports the dual use of J. multifida, hence further studies can be made in term of application.

Antimicrobial, phytochemical and larvicidal properties of Jatropha multifida Linn

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different extracts of Jatropha multifida (J. multifida) in Mauritius.@*METHODS@#Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude solvent extracts of J. multifida. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and antibacterial activity (microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were reported. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts were tested against the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits.@*RESULTS@#Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. J. multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. The plant also showed good larvacidal activity against Bactrocera zonata.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This paper reports the dual use of J. multifida, hence further studies can be made in term of application.

A comparison of polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity and insecticidal properties of Jatropha species and wild Ricinus communis L. found in Mauritius

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of different Jatropha species and Ricinus communis (castor) (R. communis) growing in Mauritius.@*METHODS@#Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants solvent extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity (disc diffusion method) and Antibacterial activity (MIC-microdilution method) of 13 microorganisms were studied. The insecticidal properties of the crude solvent extracts against larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera, Tephritidae), which cause important economic losses to local fruits were also demonstrated.@*RESULTS@#Ethyl acetate was proved to be a good solvent for extraction. Jatropha multifida showed very interesting activity against Bacillus algicola and Staphylococcus epidermis. Both R. communis and Jatropha multifida were proved to be very effective as biopesticide against different types of insect larvae.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study was able to demonstrate that Jatropha species as well as R. communis growing in Mauritius possess antimicrobial, phytochemical and insecticidal properties.