scholarly journals Insecticidal and Cholinesterase Activity of Dichloromethane Extracts of Tithonia diversifolia on Atta cephalotes Worker Ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Kriss D. Pantoja-Pulido ◽  
Jonathan Rodríguez ◽  
José H. Isaza-Martínez ◽  
Margarita Gutiérrez-Cabrera ◽  
Ana J. Colmenares-Dulcey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insecticidal Activity ◽  
Cholinesterase Activity ◽  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Laboratory Colonies ◽  
Urban Pests

Leaf-cutter ants are agricultural and urban pests that defy chemical control methods. Laboratory and field studies have revealed repellent and insecticidal activity by the extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae), known as Mexican sunflower, as a promising alternative for the control of the leaf-cutter ant Atta cephalotes. This study evaluated the effects of different extracts (non-polar and polar) of T. diversifolia dry leaves on worker ants from laboratory colonies of A. cephalotes through ingestion and contact. In addition, the biological activity of the extracts as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) was evaluated. A dichloromethane extract at 1000 ppm presented the highest insecticidal activity through ingestion, causing 70% and 90% worker ant mortality after five and seven days of treatment, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition values showed that the dichloromethane presented the best AChE concentration of inhibition (IC50) at 73.9 ± 11.06 μg/mL, compared to its fractions, which demonstrates that its activity is potentiated when the crude extract is used. Our results can be attributed to the existence of terpenes and sesquiterpene lactones, which are likely inhibitors of AChE, in T. diversifolia.

Insecticidal activity from leaves and sesquiterpene lactones of Tithonia diversifolia (Helms.) A. Gray (Asteraceae) on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2022 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 377-379
Author(s):  
Maria Augusta Ferraz Machado Miranda ◽  
Andreia Pereira Matos ◽  
Ana Carolina Volante ◽  
Gracielle Oliveira Sabbag Cunha ◽  
Sônia Cristina Juliano Gualtieri
Keyword(s):  
Insecticidal Activity ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

scholarly journals Reproduction and biomarker responses of Eisenia fetida after exposure to imidacloprid in biochar-amended soil

Biochar ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngitheni Winnie-Kate Nyoka ◽  
Ozekeke Ogbeide ◽  
Patricks Voua Otomo
Keyword(s):  
Eisenia Fetida ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pesticide Pollution ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Amended Soil

AbstractTerrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are increasingly threatened by pesticide pollution resulting from extensive use of pesticides, and due to the lack of regulatory measures in the developing world, there is a need for affordable means to lessen environmental effects. This study aimed to investigate the impact of biochar amendment on the toxicity of imidacloprid to life-cycle parameters and biomarker responses of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. E. fetida was exposed to 10% biochar-amended and non-amended OECD artificial soils spiked with 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 mg imidacloprid/kg for 28 days. An LC50 of 2.7 mg/kg was only computed in the non-amended soil but not in the biochar-amended soil due to insignificant mortality. The EC50 calculated in the non-amended soil (0.92 mg/kg) for reproduction (fertility) was lower than the one computed in the biochar amended (0.98 mg/kg), indicating a decrease in toxicity in the biochar-amended substrate. Significant weight loss was observed at the two highest imidacloprid treatments in the non-amended soil and only at the highest treatment in the biochar-amended substrate, further highlighting the beneficial effects of biochar. Catalase activity decreased significantly at the two highest concentrations of non-amended soil. Yet, in the amended soil, the activity remained high, especially in the highest concentration, where it was significantly higher than the controls. This indicated more severe oxidative stress in the absence of biochar. In all non-amended treatments, there was a significant acetylcholinesterase inhibition, while lower inhibition percentages were observed in the biochar-amended soil. In most endpoints, the addition of biochar alleviated the toxic effects of imidacloprid, which shows that biochar has the potential to be useful in soil remediation. However, there is still a need for field studies to identify the most effective application rate of biochar for land application.

Toxicity of foliage extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) on Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) workers

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 391-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Castaño-Quintana ◽  
James Montoya-Lerma ◽  
Carolina Giraldo-Echeverri
Keyword(s):  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Atta Cephalotes

ChemInform Abstract: SESQUITERPENE LACTONES OF TITHONIA DIVERSIFOLIA. STEREOCHEMISTRY OF THE TAGITININS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

1979 ◽  
Vol 10 (38) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. BARUAH ◽  
R. P. SHARMA ◽  
K. P. MADHUSUDANAN ◽  
G. THYAGARAJAN ◽  
W. HERZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Related Compounds

ChemInform Abstract: Sesquiterpene Lactones from Brazilian Tithonia diversifolia.

ChemInform ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (45) ◽  
pp. no-no
Author(s):  
P. S. PEREIRA ◽  
D. A. DIAS ◽  
W. VICHNEWSKI ◽  
A. M. TURCO TUCCI NASI ◽  
W. HERZ
Keyword(s):  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia

The Inquiry Cycle and Applied Inquiry Cycle: Integrated Frameworks for Field Studies in the Environmental Sciences

BioScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 1065-1081
Author(s):  
Peter Feinsinger ◽  
Iralys Ventosa Rodríguez ◽  
Andrea E Izquierdo ◽  
Silvana Buzato
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Environmental Sciences ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Spatiotemporal Scales ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Inquiry Cycle

Abstract Empirical place-based studies remain the research mode of most environmental field scientists. For their own sake and that of synthetic analyses based on them, such studies should follow rigorous, integrated frameworks for formulating, designing, executing, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting investigations. The inquiry cycle and applied inquiry cycle provide such frameworks: research questions complying with strict guidelines, research design following 17 detailed steps, and ordered sequences of reflections on data that begin with possible causes of their general tendencies and exceptions (outliers) and then consider possibilities involving other spatiotemporal scales. The applied inquiry cycle evaluates alternative place-based management guidelines. In these studies, reflection on results can lead to implementing the most promising alternative examined, monitoring the consequences, and engaging in adaptive management. The integration from start to finish and the numerous reality checks of the two frameworks provide field researchers with tools to carry out the best, or least flawed, field investigations possible.

scholarly journals Involvement of Allelopathy in the Invasive Potential of Tithonia diversifolia

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Kato-Noguchi
Keyword(s):  
Root Exudates ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Invasive Potential ◽  
Living Tissues ◽  
Germination And Growth

Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (Asteraceae) is native to Mexico and Central America. The species is spreading quickly and has naturalized in more than 70 countries. It has often been recorded as a harmful invasive plant that disturbs native plant communities. Phytotoxic chemical interactions such as allelopathy between invasive plants and native plants have been reported to play an important role in the invasion. Evidence for allelopathy of T. diversifolia has accumulated in the literature over 30 years. Thus, the objective of this review was to discuss the possible involvement of allelopathy in the invasive potential of T. diversifolia. The extracts, root exudates, and plant residues of T. diversifolia inhibited the germination and growth of other plant species. The soil water and soil collected from T. diversifolia fields also showed inhibitory growth effects. The decomposition rate of T. diversifolia residues in soil was reported to be high. Phytotoxic substances such as sesquiterpene lactones were isolated and identified in the extracts of T. diversifolia. Some phytotoxic substances in T. diversifolia may be released into the soil through the decomposition of the plant residues and the exudation from living tissues of T. diversifolia, including its root exudates, which act as allelopathic substances. Those allelopathic substances can inhibit the germination and growth of neighboring plants and may enhance the competitive ability of the plants, make them invasive.

Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Are Expressed in the Spinal Meninges of Monkeys and Pigs 

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 1259-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang C. Ummenhofer ◽  
Sean M. Brown ◽  
Christopher M. Bernards
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Dura Mater ◽  
Cholinesterase Activity ◽  
Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition ◽  
Cholinesterase Inhibition ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Acetylcholine Metabolism ◽  
Arachnoid Mater

Background Acetylcholinesterase inhibition at the spinal level has been shown to produce a potent antinociceptive effect. However, the site of cholinesterase inhibition is unknown. To determine whether the spinal meninges participate in acetylcholine metabolism, the spinal meninges of monkeys and pigs were assayed for cholinesterase activity. Methods Spinal cord, dura mater, and arachnoid mater specimens from anesthetized pigs and monkeys were mechanically homogenized and cholinesterase activity was determined quantitatively using a commercially available colorimetric assay. The ability of neostigmine to inhibit cholinesterase activity in vitro was also measured. Finally, the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to identify the cholinesterase metabolizing enzymes expressed by the spinal meninges. Results All spinal cord and meningeal specimens showed cholinesterase activity. In pigs, the dura mater showed less enzyme activity (36 +/- 17.7 U/mg protein) than the arachnoid mater (73.4 +/- 30.3 U/mg protein; P < 0.05), and the arachnoid mater showed less activity than the spinal cord (131.3 +/- 55.2 U/mg protein; P < 0.05). In monkeys, the dura mater again showed less cholinesterase activity (45.8 +/- 20.1 U/mg protein; P < 0.05), whereas cholinesterase activity in the arachnoid mater (90.3 +/- 45.9 U/mg protein) and spinal cord specimens (101.9 +/- 37.5 U/mg protein) were not significantly different. There were no significant species-related differences in cholinesterase activity. Neostigmine inhibited cholinesterase activity in a log-dose-dependent manner. The RT-PCR identified mRNA for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in monkey pia-arachnoid mater. Conclusions These data show that the spinal meninges express acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase; for monkeys, although not pigs, the level of cholinesterase activity is comparable with that found in the spinal cord. This finding suggests that the meninges may be an important site for acetylcholine metabolism and may play a role in the analgesic effect produced by intrathecally administered cholinesterase inhibitors.

Direct ingestion of plant sap from cut leaves by the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and acromyrmex octospinosus (reich) (Formicidae, Attini)

1976 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Littledyke ◽  
J. M. Cherrett
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Atta Cephalotes ◽  
Fungus Garden ◽  
Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽  
Substrate Preparation ◽  
Fungus Culture ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Laboratory Colonies ◽  
Reduced Drinking

AbstractIngestion of radiolabelled plant juices from cut surfaces of leaves during foraging and during substrate preparation for the fungus garden was demonstrated for laboratory colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich). Using P32 isotope, up to one-third of the radioactivity in the leaves was taken in directly by the colony as a whole, but this was much less when C14 was used. Additional plant material was taken in by the ants via the fungus garden. Large numbers of ants spend time in investigating cut surfaces of leaves and also in cutting and crimping leaves. Ingestion of plant material during these processes could play an important nutritional role in the colony and this may explain why many ants return from foraging apparently unladen. Large ants obtained most of their plant juice intake during foraging and the medium and small ants took much of theirs during substrate preparation. Inhibitory chemicals did not affect cutting but they reduced drinking and also reduced the intake of P32 from leaves during substrate preparation. The ants also ingested different amounts of P32 from leaves of different acceptability. It is suggested that leaf-cutting ants use fungus culture as a means of ‘sidestepping’ plant inhibitors. Nutrients are ingested directly from leaves when these are palatable, and the less palatable components are made available to the ants via the fungus.

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