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Insecticidal activity of synthetic antioxidants, natural phytochemicals, and essential oils against an Aspergillus section Flavi vector (Oryzaephilus surinamensis L.) in microcosm

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the insecticidal activity of two benzoic acids 2(3)-tert-butyl-4 hydroxyanisole (BHA) and 2,6-di(tert-butyl)-p-cresol (BHT); two phenolic acids 3-phenyl-2-propenoic acid (CA) and trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (FA); and two essential oils of Eugenia caryophyllata (clove tree) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) against Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) vector carrier of aflatoxigenic fungi on stored peanut. The weight loss of peanut, susceptibility of insects, Aspergillus isolation frequency from insects and peanut, and aflatoxin B1 analyses from peanut were determined. BHA, BHT, and BHA/BHT mixture were highly effective against O. surinamensis, these chemical agents give 100% mortality at the doses assayed. Essential oil of thyme at 2,000 and 3,000 ppm were highly effective against O. surinamensis, these concentrations gave 100% mortality. No Aspergillus section Flavi contamination was observed in dead insects collected from peanut treated with BHA/BHT mixture. No differences were observed in the fresh weight of pods peanut among treatments with and without chemical agents. All samples of treated peanut pods showed complete inhibition of this toxin after 120 days of storage. Our results indicate that these substances could be evaluated further for the control of pest vectors of aflatoxigenic fungi of stored peanut.

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Acknowledgments

This study was carried out through Grants from CONICET PIP 5822/05 and SECYT-UNRC 2007 to 2008. Andrea Nesci and Miriam Etcheverry are members of the research career of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), María A. Passone is postdoctoral fellow of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET).

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  1. Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físico Químicas y Naturales, Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36 km 601 (X5806JRA), Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina

    Andrea Nesci, Analía Montemarani, María A. Passone & Miriam Etcheverry

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  1. Andrea Nesci
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  2. Analía Montemarani
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  3. María A. Passone
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  4. Miriam Etcheverry
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Correspondence to Miriam Etcheverry.

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Communicated by E. Roditakis.

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Nesci, A., Montemarani, A., Passone, M.A. et al. Insecticidal activity of synthetic antioxidants, natural phytochemicals, and essential oils against an Aspergillus section Flavi vector (Oryzaephilus surinamensis L.) in microcosm. J Pest Sci 84, 107–115 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-010-0333-2

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