Mahmoud Fazeli-Dinan 
, Ali Mostafavi , Hanif Osia-Laghab , Mohammad Azadbakht * , Mina Amini , Ali Davoodi , Hassan Nikookar , Ali Jafari , Ahmadali Enayati
, Ali Mostafavi , Hanif Osia-Laghab , Mohammad Azadbakht * , Mina Amini , Ali Davoodi , Hassan Nikookar , Ali Jafari , Ahmadali Enayati
Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract: (105 Views)
Abstract: Background and Objective: Chemical insecticides, such as aluminum phosphide, pose significant health, environmental, and food safety challenges. To reduce reliance on these harmful compounds and promote sustainable alternatives, this study evaluated the efficacy of medicinal plant extracts as eco-friendly substitutes for stored-product pest control. Four medicinal plants—tobacco, eucalyptus, wormwood, and asafoetida—known in Iranian traditional medicine for their antimicrobial properties, were investigated.
Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida L.), and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) were prepared via percolation (70% ethanol) from 500–1500 g of dried plant powder and concentrated by vacuum distillation (40°C). Phytochemicals were identified using standard reagents. Rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) were reared in an insectary and used as a bioindicator. Contact toxicity and repellency tests (McDonald et al., 1970) were conducted with 20 adult weevils in three replicates.
Results: The LC50 values of extracts of Absinthium, Eucalyptus, Tobacco and Asafoetida plants were estimated to be 453.05, 470.59, 716.55 and 850.73 mg/ml, respectively. The results of the tests showed that eucalyptus extract with 98.33% had the highest mortality effect against S. oryzae compared to Asafoetida, tobacco and Absinthium extracts with 96.66%, 93.33% and 91.66%, respectively. Also, in the repellent test, the extract of Asafoetida showed the highest repellent effect with 86.66% compared to the extracts of tobacco, eucalyptus and Absinthium with 73.33%, 63.33% and 43.33% respectively.
Conclusion: The evaluated plant extracts, particularly Eucalyptus and Asafoetida, demonstrate high efficacy and reduced environmental and health risks, making them promising alternatives to chemical insecticides for stored-product pest control. These findings support safer pest management strategies to enhance food safety and public health.
Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida L.), and wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) were prepared via percolation (70% ethanol) from 500–1500 g of dried plant powder and concentrated by vacuum distillation (40°C). Phytochemicals were identified using standard reagents. Rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) were reared in an insectary and used as a bioindicator. Contact toxicity and repellency tests (McDonald et al., 1970) were conducted with 20 adult weevils in three replicates.
Results: The LC50 values of extracts of Absinthium, Eucalyptus, Tobacco and Asafoetida plants were estimated to be 453.05, 470.59, 716.55 and 850.73 mg/ml, respectively. The results of the tests showed that eucalyptus extract with 98.33% had the highest mortality effect against S. oryzae compared to Asafoetida, tobacco and Absinthium extracts with 96.66%, 93.33% and 91.66%, respectively. Also, in the repellent test, the extract of Asafoetida showed the highest repellent effect with 86.66% compared to the extracts of tobacco, eucalyptus and Absinthium with 73.33%, 63.33% and 43.33% respectively.
Conclusion: The evaluated plant extracts, particularly Eucalyptus and Asafoetida, demonstrate high efficacy and reduced environmental and health risks, making them promising alternatives to chemical insecticides for stored-product pest control. These findings support safer pest management strategies to enhance food safety and public health.
Keywords: Plant extracts, Chemical insecticides, Public health, Eucalyptus, Tobacco, Absinthium, Asafoetida
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Medical Entomology
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