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Insecticidal activity of essential oil of <i>Cinnamomum cassia</i> and its main constituent, <i>trans</i>-Cinnamaldehyde, against the booklice, <i>Liposcelis bostrychophila</i>


XC Liu
J Cheng
NN Zhao
ZL Liu

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Cinnamomum cassis and its main constituent compound, trans-cinnamaldehyde, against the booklice, Liposcelis bostrychophila
Methods: Steam distillation of C. cassis twigs was carried out using a Clavenger apparatus in order to obtain the volatile oils. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses (HP-5MS column) of the essential oil were performed and its contact (using impregnated filter paper method) and fumigant toxicity (sealed space) determined. The bioactive constituent compound, trans-cinnamaldehyde was isolated and identified from the oil based on bioactivity-directed fractionation.
Results: A total of 35 components, accounting for 97.44 % of the essential oil of C. cassis, were identified. The principal compounds in the essential oil were trans-cinnamaldehyde (49.33 %), acetophenone (6.94 %), trans-cinnamic acid (5.45 %) and cis-cinnamaldehyde (4.44 %) followed by omethoxycinnamaldehyde (3.48 %), coumarin (3.42 %) and (E)-cinnamyl alcohol (3.21 %). The essential oil displayed contact toxicity against adult L. bostrychophila with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 55.68 μg/cm2 as well as fumigant toxicity (LC50, 1.33 mg/l air). Trans-cinnamaldehyde exhibited strong contact and fumigant toxicity with LC50 and 1.29 mg/l air, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the essential oil of C. cassis and its constituent compound, trans-cinnamaldehyde, possess potentials for development into natural fumigants/insecticides for the control of booklice.

Keywords: Liposcelis bostrychophila, Cinnamomum cassis, Contact toxicity, Fumigant, trans- Cinnamaldehyde, Essential oil


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eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996