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Insect antifeedant, growth-inhibiting and larvicidal compounds from Rapanea melanphloes (Myrsinaceae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

J. O. Midiwo
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi
R. W. Mwangi
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi
Y. Ghebremeskel
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi
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Abstract

The already known benzoquinone, embelin (mixed with rapanone), and two new benzoquinones, myrsinone and myrsinaquinone, were isolated from the Myrsinaceae plant, Rapanea melanphloes (L), Mez. All the three compounds showed antifeedant activity when bioassayed on nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forsk). They also inhibited growth of second-instar larvae of mosquito Aedes aegypti at low doses, and had acute lethal effects at higher doses.

Résumé

La bénzoquinone déjà connue, l'embéline (mélangée à la rapanone), et deux nouvelles bénzoquinones, la myrsinone et la myrsinaquinone, ont été isolées de la plante Myrsinaceae, Rapanea melanphloes (L.), Mez. Tous les trois composés ont montré une activité phagodéterrente dans des essais biologiques sur les nymphes du criquet du désert, Schistocerca migratoria (Forsk.). A faible doses ils ont aussi inhibé la croissance et à fortes doses ils ont produit des effets léthaux aigus pour le deuxième stade larvaire chez le moustique Aedes aegypti.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1995

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References

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