Combinations of Lemongrass and Star Anise Essential Oils and Their Main Constituent: Synergistic Housefly Repellency and Safety against Non-Target Organisms

Mayura Soonwera; Jirisuda Sinthusiri; Hataichanok Passara; Tanapoom Moungthipmalai; Cheepchanok Puwanard; Sirawut Sittichok; Kouhei Murata

doi:10.3390/insects15030210

Insects (Mar 2024)

Combinations of Lemongrass and Star Anise Essential Oils and Their Main Constituent: Synergistic Housefly Repellency and Safety against Non-Target Organisms

Mayura Soonwera,
Jirisuda Sinthusiri,
Hataichanok Passara,
Tanapoom Moungthipmalai,
Cheepchanok Puwanard,
Sirawut Sittichok,
Kouhei Murata

Affiliations

Mayura Soonwera: Department of Plant Production Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Jirisuda Sinthusiri: Community Public Health Program, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, Bang Phli, Bang Chalong 10540, Thailand
Hataichanok Passara: Department of Plant Production Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Tanapoom Moungthipmalai: Department of Plant Production Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Cheepchanok Puwanard: Department of Plant Production Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Sirawut Sittichok: Department of Plant Production Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Kouhei Murata: School of Agriculture, Tokai University, Kumamoto 862-8652, Japan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15030210
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 3
p. 210

Abstract

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The present study evaluated the housefly repellency of single-component formulations and combinations of lemongrass and star anise essential oils (EOs) and their main constituents. The efficacies of the combinations were compared against those of single-component formulations and DEET. Safety bioassays of all formulations and DEET on non-target species—guppy, molly, dwarf honeybee, and stingless bee—were conducted. GC–MS analysis showed that the main constituent of lemongrass EO was geranial (46.83%) and that of star anise EO was trans-anethole (92.88%). All combinations were highly synergistic compared to single-component formulations, with an increased repellent value (IR) of 34.6 to 51.2%. The greatest synergistic effect was achieved by 1.0% lemongrass EO + 1.0% trans-anethole combination, with an IR of 51.2%. The strongest, 100% repellent rate at 6 h was achieved by 1.0% geranial + 1.0% trans-anethole. They were twice as effective as DEET and caused obvious damage to housefly antennae under microscopic observation. All single-component formulations and combinations were benign to the four tested non-target species. In contrast, DEET was highly toxic to them. The synergistic repellency and biosafety of these two combinations are compellingly strong support for developing them into an effective green repellent.

Published in Insects

ISSN: 2075-4450 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/insects/

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