Variations in insecticidal activity and chemical compositions of leaf essential oils from Cryptomeria japonica at different ages

  • Sen Sung Cheng
  • , Meng Thong Chua
  • , Ed Haun Chang
  • , Chin Gi Huang
  • , Wei June Chen
  • , Shang Tzen Chang*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

135 Scopus citations

Abstract

The larvicidal effects of the essential oils extracted from the leaves of Cryptomeria japonica at different ages (58, 42, and 26 years old) against 2 mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, were studied. The analysis of major constituents of these essential oils was also investigated. Results obtained from the larvicidal tests, using essential oil from the leaves of 58-year-old C. japonica was found to be most effective against both A. aegypti and A. albopictus larvae, indicating tree age has significant influence on mosquito larvicidal activity. In addition, the eleven pure constituents from C. japonica leaf essential oil were also tested individually against the two mosquito larvae. Among them, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, 3-carene, terpinolene, and β-myrcene shows strong larvicidal effect against the two mosquito larvae. Among these pure constituents, 3-carene exhibits the best larvicidal effect against A. aegypti and terpinolene shows an excellent inhibitory action against A. albopictus larvae. The results of this study show that the leaf essential oil and its effective constituents might be considered as a potent source for the production of fine natural larvicides.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)465-470
Number of pages6
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume100
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 2009

Keywords

  • Aedes aegypti
  • Aedes albopictus
  • Cryptomeria japonica
  • Essential oils
  • Mosquito larvicidal activity

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