Effectiveness of Mexican oregano essential oil from the Dominican Republic (Lippia graveolens) against maize pests (Sitophilus zeamais and Fusarium verticillioides)

PESCHIUTTA ML; ARENA JS; RAMIREZ SANCHEZ A; GÓMEZ TORRES E; PIZZOLITO RP; MERLO C; ZUNINO MP; OMARINI AB; DAMBOLENA JS; ZYGADLO JA

Agriscientia

Área de Difusión Científica - Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias

Lugar: Córdoba; Año: 2016 vol. 33 p. 89 - 97

The insecticidal and antifungal properties of Mexican oregano (Lippiagraveolens) essential oil from the Dominican Republic were investigatedunder laboratory conditions against two main pests of stored grains: Sitophiluszeamais and Fusarium verticillioides. Although oregano essential oil at 600μl/l air did not result in a significant mortality of S. zeamais after 24 hours of exposure by fumigation, this essential oil was a powerful cetylcholinesterase(AChE) inhibitor in vitro. One of the main components of oregano essential oil,p-cymene, presented fumigant toxicity and AChE inhibition activity againstthe maize weevil. The L. graveolens essential oil antifungal activity againstF. verticillioides was evaluated at 50, 100 and 200 μl/l, and it was found thatgrowth parameters were affected by the presence of oregano essential oil in themedia, whereas FB1 production was not inhibited. The results demonstrate thatoregano essential oil and p-cymene can be used as alternatives to syntheticpesticides against F. verticillioides and S. zeamais, respectively.