Enhanced production of azadirachtin by hairy root cultures of Azadirachta indica A. Juss by elicitation and media optimization

Azadirachtin is one of the most potent biopesticides so far developed from a plant sources. Influence of different culture media and elicitation on growth and production of azadirachtin by hairy root cultures of Azadirachta indica was studied. Out of the three media tested, namely Ohyama and Nitsch, Gamborg's and Murashige and Skoog's basal media, hairy roots cultured on Ohyama and Nitsch's basal medium produced maximum yield of azadirachtin (0.0166% dry weight, DW). Addition of biotic elicitor enhanced the production of azadirachtin by approximately 5-fold (0.074% DW), while signal compounds such as jasmonic acid and salicylic acid showed a approximately 6 (0.095% DW) and approximately 9-fold (0.14% DW) enhancement, respectively, in the production of azadirachtin as compared to control cultures on Ohyama and Nitsch medium. Extracts from hairy roots were found to be superior to those from the leaves for antifeedant activity against the larvae of Spodoptera litura.

[Effects of Tagetes erecta extracts on glutathione S-transferase and protease activities and protein content in Tetranychus viennensis]

With in vivo and in vitro Tagetes erecta roots under light and dark as test materials, this paper studied the effects of their extracts on the glutathione S-transferase and protease activities and protein content in Tetranychus viennensis. The results showed that the chloroform extract of T. erecta roots had the highest light-activated activity, followed by water extract, and methanol extract. After treated with chloroform extract, the glutathione S-transferase and protease activities in T. viennensis increased markedly, while its protein content decreased obviously. The variation degree of T. viennensis protease activity and protein content was significantly higher when the chloroform extract came from the T. erecta roots under light, suggesting that there existed active matters in the extract, which could promote the activation of protease, and thus, the decomposition of protein in T. viennensis. The bioactivity of T. erecta metabolites was mainly of light-activated one.

Effects of a chitin-binding vicilin from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds on bean bruchid pests (Callosobruchus maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus) and phytopathogenic fungi (Fusarium solani and Colletrichum lindemuntianum)

Chitin-binding vicilin from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds was purified by ammonium sulfate followed by gel filtration on Sephacryl 300-SH and on Sephacryl 200-SH. The vicilin, called EcV, is a dimeric glycoprotein composed of 1.03% carbohydrates and a Mr of 151 kDa, consisting of two subunits of Mr of 66.2 and 63.8 kDa. The EcV homogeneity was confirmed in a PAGE where it was observed to be a unique acid protein band with slow mobility in this native gel. E. contortisiliquum vicilin (EcV) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae and for phytopathogenic fungi, F. solani and C. lindemuntianum. EcV was very effective against both bruchids, producing 50% mortality for Z. subfasciatus at an LD50 of 0.43% and affected 50% of the larvae mass with an ED50 of 0.65%. In artificial diets given to C. maculatus, 50% of the larvae mass was affected with an ED50 of 1.03%, and larva mortality was 50% at LD50 of 1.11%. EcV was not digested by midgut homogenates of C. maculatus and Z. Subfasciatus until 12 h of incubation, and at 24 h EcV was more resistant to Z. subfasciatus larval proteases. The binding to chitin present in larvae gut associated to low EcV digestibility could explain its lethal effects. EcV also exerted an inhibitory effect on the germination of F. solani at concentrations of 10 and 20 microg mL-1. The effect of EcV on fungi is possibly due to binding to chitin-containing structures of the fungal cell wall.

Centrifugal partition chromatography as a tool for preparative purification of pea albumin with enhanced yields

A new procedure including the use of centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) is proposed to purify PA1b and its isoforms. These pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed proteins are toxic against weevils and can be used as an environment-friendly insecticide. CPC was applied to a whole albumin fraction prepared from pea flour. The butanol:aqueous TFA system used in CPC allowed the separation of PA1b from other albumins and a degree of purification above 95%. Compared to analytical procedures based on methanol extraction, anion exchange and then reversed-phase chromatography (RPC), CPC recovered PA1b in much better yield, which is indispensable for large-scale purification of a biodegradable insecticide.

Enantioselective and diastereoselective separation of synthetic pyrethroid insecticides on a novel chiral stationary phase by high-performance liquid chromatography

A novel chiral packing material for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was prepared by connecting (R)-1-phenyl-2-(4-methylphenyl) ethylamine (PTE) amide derivative of (S)-isoleucine to aminopropyl silica gel through 2-amino-3,5-dinitro-1-carboxamido-benzene unit. This chiral stationary phase was applied to the enantioselective and diastereoselective separation of five pyrethroid insecticides by HPLC under normal phase condition. To achieve satisfactory baseline separation an optimization of the variables of mobile phase composition was required. The two enantiomers of fenpropathrin and four stereoisomers of fenvalerate were baseline separated using hexane-1,2-dichloroethane-2-propanol as mobile phase. The results show that the enantioselectivity of CSP is better than Pirkle type 1-A column for these compounds. Only partial separations for the cypermethrin and cyfluthrin stereoisomers were observed. Seven peaks and eight peaks were observed for cypermethrin and cyfluthrin, respectively. The elution orders were assigned by using different stereoisomer-enriched products.

Insecticidal lead identification by screening benzopyrano[4,3-c] pyrazol-3(2H)-ones library constructed from multiple-parallel synthesis under microwave irradiation

A rapid library-generation via liquid-phase multiple-parallel synthesis of 2-(substituted)benzyl-1-benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3(2H)-ones, bearing two points of diversity, under microwave irradiation was successfully performed using chromenone-3-carboxylic acids as starting materials. Compared to an identical library generated by conventional parallel synthesis, microwave-assisted parallel synthesis dramatically decreased reaction times from an average of 16h to 13min, and the yields of products and intermediates were improved in most cases. A bioassay indicated that the compounds of the library exhibited excellent insecticidal activity against T. cinnabarinus at the dosage of 250mgL(-1), and some compounds still exhibited insecticidal activity when the dosage was reduced to 50mgL(-1). This shows that 2-(substituted) benzyl-1-benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3(2H)-ones might be used as lead structures for further optimization. To our knowledge, this is the first report about the application of solution-phase multiple-parallel synthesis under microwave irradiation to construct libraries of benzopyrano-[4,3-c]pyrazol-3(2H)-ones with insecticidal activity. The coupling of microwave technology with liquid-phase parallel synthesis constitutes a novel and particularly attractive avenue for the rapid generation of structurally diverse libraries for lead discovery.

Secondary metabolites and insecticidal activity of Anemone pavonina

The insecticidal properties of the crude extracts of the leaves and flowers of Anemone pavonina were evaluated on Pheidole pallidula ants and showed significant levels of activity. Bioassay-guided fractionations led to the isolation of the butenolide ranunculin (1) as the active principle. Chemical investigations of the extracts showed them to contain as major components the sitosterol glycopyranoside lipids 2-5 and the glycerides 6-8. The structures of the metabolites were elucidated, following acetylation and hydrolysis of the natural products, by interpretation of their NMR and mass spectral data. The uncommon lipid metabolites 2-8 were isolated for the first time from the genus Anemone and this is the first report of insecticidal activity of the Anemone metabolite ranunculin against ants.

Insecticidal, antifeedant and oviposition deterrent effects of the essential oil and individual compounds from leaves of Chloroxylon swietenia DC

Essential oil from the leaves of Chloroxylon swietenia DC. was obtained by hydrodistillation and cold extraction, and the chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major identified components were limonene, geijerene, pregeijerene, germacrene D and trans-beta-ocimene. Laboratory bioassays of the essential oil and four constituents of essential oil isolates were evaluated for insecticidal, antifeedant and oviposition deterrent effects on tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (F.). Toxicity was determined by topical application of the isolates at varying concentrations. Pure oil, geijerene and pregeijerene were found to be more toxic, with LD50 values of 28.6, 35.4 and 40.7 microg per larva respectively. Maximum feeding deterrence was noted for geijerene and pregeijerene, with DC(50) values of 82.5 and 95.1 microg cm(-2) respectively. Furthermore, pure oil, geijerene and pregeijerene displayed oviposition deterrence, even at low concentrations. These results indicate that these natural products may lead to useful, biodegradable, environmentally safe insect control agents.

Discovery, synthesis, and insecticidal activity of cycloaspeptide E

Several Penicillia and one Tricothecium strain produced a new, insecticidally active member of the cycloaspeptide family, with the proposed name cycloaspeptide E (1). The structure, which was determined on the basis of spectroscopic (NMR, UV, MS) data and Marfey amino acid analysis, was the tyrosine desoxy version of cycloaspeptide A (2). Two synthetic routes to compound 1 were developed: one a partial synthesis from 2 and the other a total synthesis from methyl alaninate hydrochloride. Cycloaspeptide E, the first member of this series not to contain a tyrosine moiety, is also the first to be reported with insecticidal activity.

Partial purification and insecticidal activity of toxic metabolites secreted by a Mucor hiemalis strain (SMU-21) against adults of Bactrocera oleae and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The secondary metabolites present in the methanol extract of a Mucor hiemalis strain (SMU-21) mycelia, cultured in liquid medium, were evaluated for toxicity to Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) adults. Feeding and contact bioassays revealed that the methanol fraction of the crude supernatant was strongly toxic to both species. Symptoms of toxicity developed quickly; lethargy occurred 1-2 h posttreatment, and mortality reached 82-97% after 24 h. Both feeding and contact bioassays showed that B. oleae was more susceptible than C. capitata. Concentrations producing 50% mortality (LC50) to B. oleae and C. capitata after 24 h in feeding bioassays were 0.52 and 1.28 mg/ 0.1 ml diet, respectively, but 34.8 and 64.0 microg/ cm2, respectively, after 4 h in contact bioassays. Solvent partition, precipitation, and chromatographic procedures were used to isolate the active principles from the crude supernatant. These resulted in the isolation of one high-pressure liquid chromatography fraction with insecticidal activity on B. oleae flies equal to the initial crude supernatant.

Yaequinolones, New Insecticidal Antibiotics Produced by Penicillium sp. FKI-2140

New nine insecticidal antibiotics designated yaequinolones were isolated from the culture broth of the fungal strain Penicillium sp. FKI-2140 by solvent extraction, centrifugal partition chromatography and HPLC. Yaequinolones showed growth inhibitory activity against brine shrimp (Artemia salina). Among them, yaequinolone F has the most potent activity with MIC value of 0.19 microg/ml.

Do herbicide treatments reduce the sensitivity of mosquito larvae to insecticides?

Invasive mosquitoes are economic and sanitary concerns especially in Europe and America. Most work has emphasized the role of resistance [Berrada, S., Fournier, D., Cuany, A., Nguyen, T.X., 1994. Identification of resistance mechanisms in a selected laboratory strain of Cacopsylla pyri (Homoptera: Psyllidae): altered acetylcholinesterases and detoxifying oxidases. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 48, 41-47; Hemingway, J., Hawkes, N.J., McCarroll, L., Ranson, H., 2004. The molecular basis of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 34, 653-665] to insecticides. Compounds acting on larval sensitivity to insecticides are not well studied and their action remains poorly understood. Among several residual chemicals in ecosystems, particularly in wetlands, we identified a possible interaction of an herbicide on larval resistance to an insecticide. Our work contributes to the global control of mosquito populations by identifying possible pathways of resistance to insecticides of these vectors. Resistance or tolerance to insecticide treatments might contribute to successful invasion by mosquitoes. Here we report an ecotoxicological approach to test the hypothesis of an indirect effect of atrazine on mortality of an invasive vector. A brief contact (48h) between Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and atrazine led to a modification of larval sensitivity to an insecticide: using atrazine as an inducer led to a decrease in the mortality of larvae treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti).

Antifeedant and toxicity effects of thiophenes from four Echinops species against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus

Over 220 crude extracts from repositories generated from plants native to Greece and Kazakhstan were evaluated for termiticidal activity against the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Emerging from this screening effort were bioactive extracts from two Greek species (Echinops ritro L. and Echinops spinosissimus Turra subsp. spinosissimus) and extracts from two Kazakhstan species (Echinops albicaulis Kar. & Kir. and Echinops transiliensis Golosh.). Fractionation and isolation of constituents from the most active extracts from each of the four species has been completed, resulting in the isolation of eight thiophenes possessing varying degrees of termiticidal activity. 2,2':5',2"-Terthiophene and 5'-(3-buten-1-ynyl)-2,2'-bithiophene demonstrated 100% mortality against C. formosanus within 9 days at 1 and 2 wt% concentrations respectively. In addition, all but two of the eight compounds tested were significantly different from the solvent controls in the filter paper consumption bioassay.

Separating DDTs in Edible Animal Fats Using Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Extraction with Activated Carbon Filter, Toyobo-KF

A technique is presented for the economical, routine, and quantitative analysis of contamination by dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs) [pp'-DDT, pp'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene, and pp'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloreothane in beef tallow and chicken fat samples, based on their separation using matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction with Toyobo-KF, an activated carbon fiber. Toyobo-KF is a newly applied MSPD sorbent, and it is followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a photodiode array detector. The resulting analytical performance parameters [recoveries of spiked DDTs (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 microg/g) > or = 81%, with relative standard deviations of < or = 8% (n = 5), and quantitation limits < or = 0.03 microg/g], with minimal handling and cost-efficiency, indicate that the present MSPD-HPLC method may be a useful tool for routine monitoring of DDT contamination in meat.

Insecticidal activity of synthetic amides on Spodoptera frugiperda

The phytochemistry of the genus Piper (Piperaceae) has been widely studied due to the biological properties of amides from these plants. In this work, we have synthesized and evaluated the toxic effect of 11 amides against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. The naturally occurring piperine was also evaluated. The most active amide was N-[3-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-(E)-propenoyl]piperidine with a LD50 of 1.07 microg mg(-1) larvae. This amide was also evaluated by ingestion.

Sterculia guttata seeds extractives--an effective mosquito larvicide

The larvicidal activity of ethanol, chloroform and hexane soxhlet extracts obtained from S. guttata seeds was investigated against the IVth instar larvae of Dengue fever vector, Aedes aegypti and filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. All extracts including fractions of ethanol extract exhibited 100% larval kill within 24 hr exposure period at 500 ppm concentration. Fraction A1 of ethanol was found to be most promising; its LC50 was 21.552 and 35.520 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti respectively. Naturally occurring S. guttata seed derived fractions merit further study as potential mosquito larval control agents or lead compounds.

Comparison of the biotransformation of the 14C-labelled insecticide carbaryl by non-transformed and human CYP1A1-, CYP1A2-, and CYP3A4-transgenic cell cultures of Nicotiana tabacum

Transgenic tobacco-cell-suspension cultures expressing separately the human cytochrome P450 monooxygenases CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4 were utilized to study the biotransformation of the 14C-labelled insecticide carbaryl (=naphthalen-1-yl methylcarbamate). The resulting data were compared to similar data from the corresponding non-transformed (NT) tobacco-cell culture and commercially available membrane preparations (Bactosomes) of genetically modified bacteria separately containing the same human P450s. A rapid conversion rate of carbaryl was observed with the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 cells, where only 49.7 and 0.2% of applied carbaryl (1 mg/l), respectively, remained after 24 h, as compared to 77.7% in the non-transformed culture. Unexpectedly, the corresponding results obtained from the CYP3A4 cultures were not definite. With 25 mg/l of carbaryl and 96 h of incubation, it was proven that the insecticide is also substrate of CYP3A4. This finding was supported by GC/EI-MS analysis of the primary metabolite pattern produced by the isozyme. This consisted of naphthalene-1-ol, N-(hydroxymethyl)carbaryl, 4-hydroxycarbaryl, and 5-hydroxycarbaryl, whereas the main product in non-transformed cells was N-(hydroxymethyl)carbaryl. Data obtained from the CYP1A1, CYP1A2, or CYP3A4 Bactosomes agreed with those of the P450-transgenic tobacco cells. Problems with GC/EI-MS analysis of carbaryl and its metabolites are discussed.

Photoactivated insecticidal thiophene derivatives from Xanthopappus subacaulis

Three new photoactivated insecticidal thiophene derivatives, xanthopappins A-C (1-3), were isolated from Xanthopappus subacaulis, along with three known thiophene acetylenes, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-(E)-hept-5-ene-1,3-diynylthiophene (4), 5-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-2-(E)-hept-5-ene-1,3-diynylthiophene (5), and 5-(1,2-diacetoxyethyl)-2-(E)-hept-5-ene-1,3-diynylthiophene (6). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-6 exhibited significant photoactivated insecticidal activity against the fourth-instar larvae of the Asian tiger mosquito.

A Tuber Lectin from Arisaema jacquemontii Blume with Anti-insect and Anti-proliferative Properties

A tuber lectin from Arisaema jacquemontii Blume belonging to family Araceae was purified by employing a single step affinity chromatography using column of asialofetuin-linked amino activated silica beads and the bound lectin was eluted with 100 mM glycine-HCl buffer pH 2.5. The purified A. jacquemontii lectin (AJL) showed a single protein band with an apparent molecular mass of 13.4 kDa when submitted to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing as well as non-reducing conditions. The native molecular mass of AJL determined by gel filtration on a Biogel P-200 column was 52 kDa and its carbohydrate content was estimated to be 3.40%. Thus AJL is a tetrameric glycoprotein. The purified lectin agglutinated erythrocytes from rabbit but not from human. Its activity was not inhibited by any of the mono- and disaccharides tested except N-acetyl-D-lactosamine having minimal inhibitory sugar concentration (MIC) 25 mM. Among the glycoproteins tested only asialofetuin was found to be inhibitory (MIC125 microg/mL). A single band was obtained in native PAGE at pH 4.5 while PAGE at pH 8.3 showed two bands. Isoelectric focusing of AJL gave multiple bands in the pI range of 4.6-5.5. When incorporated in artificial diet AJL significantly affected the development of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) larvae indicating the possibility of using this lectin in a biotechnological strategy for insect management of cucurbits. Larvae fed on artificial diet containing sublethal dose of AJL showed a significant decrease in acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity while esterase activity markedly increased as compared to larvae fed on diet without lectin. Out of various human cancer cell lines employed in sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay, this lectin was found to have appreciable inhibitory effect on the in vitro proliferation of HCT-15, HOP-62, SW-620, HT-29, IMR-32, SKOV-3, Colo-205, PC-3, HEP-2 and A-549 cancer cell lines by 82, 77, 73, 70, 41, 41, 37, 29, 21 and 21% respectively.

The excellence of Aomori Hiba (Hinokiasunaro) in its use as building materials of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines

Five hinokitiol-related compounds (hinokitiol (beta-thujaplicin), beta-dolabrin, gamma-thujaplicin, 4-acetyltropolone and alpha -thujaplicin) isolated from the acid oil of Aomori Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var hondai MAKINO) showed clear antifungal activity against wood-rotting fungi. These compounds have obvious insecticidal effects on termites. They also exhibited potent acaricidal activity against mites. The above-mentioned features suggest that Konjiki-do, a well known national treasure, one of the buildings in Chuson-ji Temple of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, which was built of wood from the tree containing these five compounds, was kept from harm against noxious insects and wood-rotting fungi for a long time of about 840 years, until it was extensively repaired in 1962. In addition to Konjiki-do, there are some old famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines using Aomori Hiba. From the results, it was found that Aomori Hiba (Hinokiasunaro) is excellent for use as building materials.

Adsorption of 2,4-D and carbofuran pesticides using fertilizer and steel industry wastes

The removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and carbofuran from aqueous solution was studied by using fertilizer industry waste (carbon slurry) and steel industry wastes (blast furnace slag, dust, and sludge) as adsorbents in batch. Adsorption was found to be in decreasing order: carbon slurry, blast furnace sludge, dust, and slag, respectively. Carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from carbon slurry exhibited the uptake capacity of 212 and 208 mg g(-1) for 2,4-D and carbofuran, respectively at 25 degrees C and pH 7.5. Adsorption equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics were investigated as a function of initial pH, temperature, and pesticide concentrations. Equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir equilibrium model in the studied concentration range of 2,4-D and carbofuran at all the temperatures studied. Two simplified models, including pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, were used to test the adsorption kinetics. Adsorption of 2,4-D and carbofuran on carbon slurry at 25, 35, and 45 degrees C could be best fitted in the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Pore diffusion was confirmed as the essential rate-controlling step with the help of Bangham's equation.

Novel preparation and characterization of the alpha4-loop-alpha5 membrane-perturbing peptide from the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Ba delta-endotoxin

Helices 4 and 5 of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Ba delta-endotoxin have been shown to be important determinants for mosquito-larvicidal activity, likely being involved in membrane-pore formation. In this study, the Cry4Ba mutant protein containing an additional engineered tryptic cleavage site was used to produce the alpha4-alpha5 hairpin peptide by an efficient alternative strategy. Upon solubilization of toxin inclusions expressed in Escherichia coli and subsequent digestion with trypsin, the 130-kDa mutant protoxin was processed to protease-resistant fragments of ca. 47, 10 and 7 kDa. The 7-kDa fragment was identified as the alpha4-loop-alpha5 hairpin via N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry, and was successfully purified by size-exclusion FPLC and reversed-phase HPLC. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, the 7-kDa peptide was found to exist predominantly as an alpha-helical structure. Membrane perturbation studies by using fluorimetric calcein-release assays revealed that the 7-kDa helical hairpin is highly active against unilamellar liposomes compared with the 65-kDa activated full-length toxin. These results directly support the role of the alpha4-loop-alpha5 hairpin in membrane perturbation and pore formation of the full-length Cry4Ba toxin.

Cyt2Ba of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis: activation by putative endogenous protease

The gene cyt2Ba of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis was cloned for expression, together with p20, in an acrystalliferous strain. The large hexagonal crystals formed were composed of Cyt2Ba, which facilitated its purification. Crystal solubilization in the presence of endogenous proteases (with spores and cell debris) enabled quick and simple procedure to obtain rather pure and active toxin species by cleavage between amino acid residues 34 and 35, most likely by a camelysin-like protease that was discovered in association with activated Cyt2Ba. The product of this cleavage displayed haemolytic activity comparable to that of exogenously activated Cyt2Ba. The sequence of this putative protease shares high homology with the cell envelope-bound metalloprotease (camelysin) of the closely related species Bacillus cereus.

Two new insecticidal sesquiterpene polyol esters fromCelastrus angulatus

Two new insecticidal sesquiterpene polyol esters with a beta-dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpene skeleton, celangulatin A (1), B (2), and two known compounds, celangulin IV (3) and V (4), were isolated from the leaves of Celastrus angulatus by bioassay-guided fractionation. Their chemical structures were elucidated mainly by analyses of the NMR and MS spectral data. Their insecticidal activities against Mythimna separate were demonstrated with the KD50 value of 68.5 and 215.8 microg g(-1), respectively.

Acaricidal activities of paeonol and benzoic acid from Paeonia suffruticosa root bark and monoterpenoids against Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae)

The acaricidal activities of paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone) and benzoic acid identified in the root bark of tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, against copra mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), adults were examined using direct contact and vapour phase toxicity bioassays and compared with those of cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl alcohol and 37 monoterpenoids as well as the acaricides benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Based on LD(50) values in fabric piece contact toxicity bioassays, the acaricidal activities of benzoic acid (4.80 microg cm(-2)) and paeonol (5.29 microg cm(-2)) were comparable to that of benzyl benzoate (4.46 microg cm(-2)) but more pronounced than those of DEET (30.03 microg cm(-2)) and dibutyl phthalate (25.23 microg cm(-2)). In vapour phase toxicity bioassays, paeonol and benzoic acid were much more effective in closed containers than in open ones, indicating that the effects of these compounds were largely due to action in the vapour phase. As judged by 24 h LD(50) values, (1S)-(-)-verbenone (7.42 mg per disc) was the most toxic fumigant, followed by (1S)-(-)-camphor, (S)-(+)-carvone, (R)-(-)-linalool and (+/-)-camphor (10.45-18.18 mg). Potent fumigant toxicity was also observed with paeonol, (2S,5R)-(-)-menthone, (+/-)-citronellal, benzoic acid, (1S,4R)-(-)-alpha-thujone and (R)-(+)-pulegone (25.10-34.63 mg). Neither benzyl benzoate, DEET nor dibutyl phthalate caused fumigant toxicity. Paeonia root bark-derived materials, particularly paeonol and benzoic acid, as well as the monoterpenoids described, merit further study as potential acaricides or as leads for the control of T. putrescentiae.