Interspecific hybridization of Eucalyptus as a potential tool to improve the bioactivity of essential oils against permethrin-resistant head-lice from Argentine

TOLOZA A., A. LUCÍA, E. ZERBA, H. MASUH & M.I. PICOLLO

Bio-resource Technology

Elsevier

Lugar: Arkansas; Año: 2008 p. 7341 - 7347

The essential oils extracted from Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus tereticornis, and the hybrids E. grandis x E. camaldulensis, and E. grandis x E. tereticornis were analyzed by GC-MS, and evaluated for their fumigant and repellent effects on permethrin-resistant head lice. Fumigant activity of both hybrids was higher than of pure species. E. grandis x E. tereticornis and E. grandis x E. camaldulensis showed KT50 values of 12.99 and 13.63 min, respectively. E. grandis, E. camaldulensis, and E. tereticornis showed KT50 values of 25.57, 35.01, and 31.31; respectively. A simple regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between KT50 data and % of 1,8-cineole of studied essential oils. Repellent activity showed that the repellency effectiveness varied from 47.80 ± 16% to 80.69 ± 6% of the five Eucalyptus essential oils tested. Interspecific hybridization improve the pediculicidal activity of Eucalyptus essential oils.      Keywords: Head lice, Eucalyptus, Interspecific hybridization, Essential oils, Repellents, Fumigants