Baccharis essential oils from the Atlantic Forest as sources of natural pesticides

• Published in: Industrial crops and products 2024-09, Vol.215, p.118589, Article 118589
• Main Authors: Eccel, Camila, Zimmermann, Rubens Candido, Giraldi, Greissi Tente, Foerster, Luís Amilton, de Bitencourt Frasson, Vinícius, Chaaban, Amanda, do Amaral, Wanderlei, Sales Maia, Beatriz Helena L.N., Dos Santos, Elaine Fernanda, Poitevin, Carolina Gracia, Martins, Carlos Eduardo Nogueira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticarsia gemmatalis; Atlantic Forest; Baccharis; Brazil; Chemical composition; forests; fumigation; gas chromatography; indigenous species; insecticidal properties; Lucilia cuprina; mass spectrometry; mortality; pest control; Sitophilus oryzae; Sitophilus spp; Sitophilus zeamais; species; steam
• ISSN: 0926-6690; 1872-633X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.118589

Substances derived from bioactive plants of the Atlantic Forest can potentially be used for agricultural pest control, with fewer environmental consequences than other measures. Baccharis species present several biological properties, including insecticidal action. The present study aimed to characterize and evaluate the insecticidal activity of the following essential oils (EOs) obtained from native species of the Atlantic Forest: Baccharis articulata (Lam.) Pers., Baccharis calvescens DC., and Baccharis milleflora (Less.) DC. (Asteraceae), the last two of which are endemic to Brazil. EOs were obtained by steam extraction in a vat for 3 h, and the constituents were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Insecticidal activity was evaluated against Anticarsia gemmatalis, Sitophilus oryzae, Sitophilus zeamais, and Lucilia cuprina. A total of 7, 16, and 27 compounds were identified in EO samples from B. articulata, B. calvescens, and B. milleflora, respectively. All EOs caused 100 % mortality to A. gemmatalis, and 76.67 %, 98.33 %, and 95 % mortality to L. cuprina using EOs of B. milleflora, B. calvescens, and B. articulata, respectively. Only B. articulata caused mortality greater than 80 % to S. zeamais (83.88 %) and S. oryzae (86.03 %) by fumigation. The present study provides information on the use of EOs from Baccharis species as natural alternative substances to chemical pesticides, contributing to more sustainable production in Brazilian agriculture. •Essential oils of Baccharis species have different chemical compositions.•Among the EOs, Baccharis milleflora was higher toxic for Anticarsia gemmatalis.•Only Baccharis articulata was efficient in control Sitophilus sp. by fumigation.•All Baccharis EOs showed insecticidal and sublethal effects against Lucilia cuprina.•Baccharis EOs from Atlantic Forest are a promising solution for pest control.