Isolation and characterization of biofumigant from leaves of Lantana camara for control of stored grain insect pests

• Published in: Industrial crops and products Vol. 51; pp. 224 - 228
• Main Authors: Rajashekar, Yallappa, Vijay Kumar, Honnaiah, Ravindra, Kothapalli V., Bakthavatsalam, Nandagopal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-11-2013
• Subjects: adverse effects; Biofumigant; biofumigation; Coumaran; evolution; Grain Protectants; grains; health hazards; insecticides; Lantana camara; leaves; mammals; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; pest control; progeny; seed germination; Seed viability; storage insects; stored grain; Stored grain insect pests; synthesis; toxicity; Biofumigant; Grain Protectants; Lantana camara; Stored grain insect pests; Seed viability; Coumaran
• ISSN: 0926-6690; 1872-633X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2013.09.006

•Isolation and characterization of biofumigant molecule named as Coumaran from the leaves of a weed plant.•This molecule (Coumaran) is toxic to stored grain insect pests.•The toxicity is comparable to that of chemical fumigants.•Coumaran becoming an alternative fumigant for methyl bromide, in view of toxicity, economical and environmentally friendly pest control strategies against stored grain pests during storage of grains or pulses.
Due to environmental concerns, health hazards to man and the evolution of resistance in insect pests, there have been constant efforts to discover newer insecticides both from natural sources and by chemical synthesis. Natural sources for novel molecules hold promise in view of their eco-friendly nature, selectivity and mammalian safety. We have isolated one natural bioactive molecule from the leaves of Lantana camara named Coumaran, based on various physical–chemical and spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS). Coumaran is highly toxic and very low concentration is needed for control of stored product insects. This molecule has potent grain protectant potential and caused significant reduction in F1 progeny of all the three species in the treated grain and the progeny was completely suppressed at 30μg/l. The differences in germination between the control and treated grains were not significant. The lack of any adverse effect of Coumaran on the seed germination is highly desirable for a grain protectant, becoming a potential source of biofumigant for economical and environmentally friendly pest control strategies against stored grain pests during storage of grains or pulses.