Acaricidal toxicities and synergistic activities of Salvia lavandulifolia oil constituents against synanthropic mites

Volatile Composition and Enantiomeric Distribution of Spanish Sage (Salvia officinalis Subsp. lavandulifolia [Vahl] Gams) From Spain

Background: Spanish sage ( Salvia officinalis subsp . lavandulifolia [Vahl] Gams) is historically an important medicinal plant with a myriad of uses. Methods: In this work, 11 S officinalis subsp. lavandulifolia essential oils (EOs) from Spain were prepared by steam distillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Results: The main components of S officinalis subsp. lavandulifolia EOs were 1,8-cineole (24.34%-33.96%), camphor (23.48%-28.83%) followed by camphene (4.93%-6.43%) and α-pinene (4.29%-6.61%). Enantiomeric analysis of the EOs by chiral gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (CGC-MS) revealed the presence of 17 chiral compounds. Moreover, a hierarchical cluster analysis using the data reported in the literature and those obtained from this study uncovered 3 different chemotypes based on the relative concentrations of the major components. Conclusion: The chiral compounds found in the EO can be used in Spanish sage authentication.

Fumigant activity of essential oils from Cinnamomum and Citrus spp. and pure compounds against Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae) and toxicity toward the nontarget organism Beauveria bassiana (Vuill.)

Dermanyssus gallinae(De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae) is the main ectoparasite associated with laying poultry. This mite is commonly controlled by the application of synthetic chemical insecticides, wich lead to the selection of resistant populations and formation of residues in eggs. Thus, new molecules must be developed to control D. gallinae. This work evaluated the toxicity of essential oils (EOs) from Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum camphora, Cinnamomum camphora var. linalooliferum, Citrus aurantium, Citrus aurantium var. bergamia, Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus reticulata var. tangerine against D. gallinae. Additionally, the chemical profiles of the most bioactive EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the major compounds were subjected to new tests using D. gallinae. The most toxic EOs against D. gallinae were evaluated for the nontarget entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Unioeste 88). The EOs from C. cassia (LC₅₀ = 25.43 ± 1.0423 μg/cm³) and C. camphora var. linalooliferum (LC₅₀ = 39.84 ± 1.9635 μg/cm³) were the most active in the fumigant bioassay and caused mortality rates of 96 and 61%, respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the major constituents of EOs from C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum were trans-cinnamaldehyde and linalool, respectively. The pure compounds, trans-cinnamaldehyde (LC₅₀ = 68.89 ± 3.1391 μg/cm³) and linalool (LC₅₀ = 51.45 ± 1.1967 μg/cm³), were tested on D. gallinae and showed lower toxicity than the EOs. Thus, the compounds were not the only active substances produced by C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum; moreover synergism may have occurred between the substances. The EOs from C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum were also toxic to B. bassiana (Unioeste 88). Thus, EOs from C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum are promising candidates for use in D. gallinae control, but cannot be used in conjunction with the fungus B. bassiana.

New Tricks for Old Guys: Recent Developments in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applications and Exploitation of Selected Species from the Lamiaceae Family

Lamiaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants comprising about 250 genera and over 7,000 species. Most of the plants of this family are aromatic and therefore important source of essential oils. Lamiaceae are widely used as culinary herbs and reported as medicinal plants in several folk traditions. In the Mediterranean area oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme and lavender stand out for geographical diffusion and variety of uses. The aim of this review is to provide recent data dealing with the phytochemical and pharmacological studies, and the more recent applications of the essential oils and the non-volatile phytocomplexes. This literature survey suggests how the deeper understanding of biomolecular processes in the health and food sectors as per as pest control bioremediation of cultural heritage, or interaction with human microbiome, fields, leads to the rediscovery and new potential applications of well-known plants.