Feeding deterrents from Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz against two stored-product insects

The screening for insecticidal principles from several Chinese medicinal herbs showed that the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus possessed significant feeding deterrence against two stored-product insects (Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus zeamais). From the methanol extract, two feeding deterrents were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The compounds were identified as fraxinellone and dictamnine from their spectroscopic data. Fraxinellone was demonstrated to possess feeding deterrent activity against adults and larvae of T. castaneum as well as S. zeamais adults with EC50 values of 36.4, 29.1, and 71.2 ppm, respectively. Dictamnine was shown to have feeding deterrent activity against adults and larvae of T. castaneum as well as S. zeamais adults with EC50 values of 57.6, 47.9, and 91.7 ppm, respectively.     

Antioxidant activities of extracts from Barkleyanthus salicifolius (Asteraceae) and Penstemon gentianoides (Scrophulariaceae)

Various extracts of the aerial parts of Barkleyanthus salicifolius (Asteraceae) and Penstemon gentianoides (Scrophulariaceae) have been used in folk medicine to treat many ailments, particularly inflammation and migraine. Neither the bioactive components responsible nor the mechanisms involved have been evaluated. Here are reported antioxidant activities of their methanol, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts. Samples were evaluated for oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and inhibition of the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), a measure of lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant activities were strongly correlated with total polyphenol content. The most active extracts from P. gentianoides in scavenging DPPH radicals and inhibiting TBARS formation were the methanol extract (A) and a further ethyl acetate extract of this (E). Partition E was further divided into eight fractions, and both E and the fractions were compared for activity against butylated hydroxytoluene, quercetin, and tocopherol. Partition E and the most active fractions, 5 and 6, were found to have I(50) values of 14.1, 38.6, and 41.8 ppm, respectively, against DPPH and 18.5, 26.0, and 12.7 ppm, respectively, against TBARS formation. Consistent with this finding, partition E and fractions 4-6 had the greatest ORAC and FRAP values. These results show that these plants could be useful antioxidant sources.     

Insecticidal effect of phthalides and furanocoumarins from Angelica acutiloba against Drosophila melanogaster

Insecticidal activity of Angelica acutiloba extract and its constituents was investigated and compared with that of rotenone. Bioassay-guided isolation of the chloroform extract of A. acutiloba against larvae of Drosophila melanogaster afforded two phthalides, (Z)-butylidenephthalide (1) and (Z)-ligustilide (2), and two furanocoumarins, xanthotoxin (3) and isopimpinellin (4). The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 exhibited LC(50) values of 0.94, 2.54, 3.35, and 0.82 micromol/mL of diet concentration against larvae of D. melanogaster, respectively. Against both sexes (males/females, 1:1) of adults (5-7 days old), compound 1 showed the most potent activity with a LD(50) value of 0.84 microg/adult. Compound 1 is a more active insecticide than rotenone (LD(50) = 3.68 microg/adult) and has potential as a novel insect control agent. However, compound 2 was inactive against adults. The structure-activity relationship of phthalides isolated indicated that the aromaticity appeared to play an important role in the activity of both larvae and adults. To determine the insecticide mode of action for acute adulticidal activity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity was also investigated in vitro, and the result indicated that the acute adulticidal activity of compounds 3 and 4 was due to the inhibition of AChE.     

Chemical composition and mosquito larvicidal activity of essential oils from leaves of different Cinnamomum osmophloeum provenances

Chemical compositions of leaf essential oils from eight provenances of indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh.) were compared. According to GC-MS and cluster analyses, the leaf essential oils of the eight provenances and their relative contents were classified into five chemotypes-cinnamaldehyde type, linalool type, camphor type, cinnamaldehyde/cinnamyl acetate type, and mixed type. The larvicidal activities of leaf essential oils and their constituents from the five chemotypes of indigenous cinnamon trees were evaluated by mosquito larvicidal assay. Results of larvicidal tests demonstrated that the leaf essential oils of cinnamaldehyde type and cinnamaldehyde/cinnamyl acetate type had an excellent inhibitory effect against the fourth-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. The LC(50) values for cinnamaldehyde type and cinnamaldehyde/cinnamyl acetate type against A. aegypti larvae in 24 h were 36 ppm (LC(90) = 79 ppm) and 44 ppm (LC(90) = 85 ppm), respectively. Results of the 24-h mosquito larvicidal assays also showed that the effective constituents in leaf essential oils were cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, anethole, and cinnamyl acetate and that the LC(50) values of these constituents against A. aegypti larvae were <50 ppm. Cinnamaldehyde had the best mosquito larvicidal activity, with an LC(50) of 29 ppm (LC(90) = 48 ppm) against A. aegypti. Comparisons of mosquito larvicidal activity of cinnamaldehyde congeners revealed that cinnamaldehyde exhibited the strongest mosquito larvicidal activity.     

Studies on the antioxidant activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel and seed extracts using in vitro models.

Antioxidant-rich fractions were extracted from pomegranate (Punica granatum) peels and seeds using ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. The extracts were screened for their potential as antioxidants using various in vitro models, such as beta-carotene-linoleate and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) model systems. The methanol extract of peels showed 83 and 81% antioxidant activity at 50 ppm using the beta-carotene-linoleate and DPPH model systems, respectively. Similarly, the methanol extract of seeds showed 22.6 and 23.2% antioxidant activity at 100 ppm using the beta-carotene-linoleate and DPPH model systems, respectively. As the methanol extract of pomegranate peel showed the highest antioxidant activity among all of the extracts, it was selected for testing of its effect on lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. The methanol extract showed 56, 58, and 93.7% inhibition using the thiobarbituric acid method, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and LDL oxidation, respectively, at 100 ppm. This is the first report on the antioxidant properties of the extracts from pomegranate peel and seeds. Owing to this property, the studies can be further extended to exploit them for their possible application for the preservation of food products as well as their use as health supplements and neutraceuticals.     

Larvicidal and adulticidal activity of alkylphthalide derivatives from rhizome of Cnidium officinale against Drosophila melanogaster

The insecticidal activity of the chloroform extract of Cnidium officinale rhizomes and its constituents was investigated against larvae and adults of Drosophila melanogaster and compared with that of rotenone. Bioassay-guided isolation of the chloroform extract of C. officinale resulted in the isolation and characterization of four alkylphthalides, cnidilide (1), (Z)-ligustilide (2), (3S)-butylphthalide (3), and neocnidilide (4). The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds 2, 3, and 4 exhibited LC50 values of 2.54, 4.99, and 9.90 micromol/mL of diet concentration against larvae of D. melanogaster, respectively. Against both sexes (males/females, 1:1) of adults (5-7 days old), compound 3 showed the most potent activity of the compounds isolated with the LD50 value of 5.93 microg/adult, comparable to that of rotenone (LD50 = 3.68 microg/adult). Structure-activity relationships of phthalides isolated suggest that the presence of conjugation with the carbonyl group in the lactone ring appeared to play an important role in the larvicidal activity. Acetylcholinesterase (prepared from the adult heads of D. melanogaster) inhibitory activity was also investigated in vitro to determine the insecticide mode of action for the acute adulticidal activity.     

Antioxidant activities of grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace extracts

Antioxidant-rich fractions were extracted from grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace using ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. The extracts were screened for their potential as antioxidants in different models. The ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts showed 76, 87.1, and 21.7% antioxidant activities at 100 ppm, respectively, using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl model system. As the methanol extract of grape pomace showed maximum antioxidant activity among all of the extracts, it was selected to determine its effect on lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. The methanol extract showed 71.7, 73.6, and 91.2% inhibition using the thiobarbituric acid method, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and LDL oxidation, respectively, at 200 ppm. Treatment of albino rats of the Wistar strain with a single dose of CCl(4) at 1.25 mL/kg of body weight decreases the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase by 81, 49, and 89%, respectively, whereas the lipid peroxidation value increased nearly 3-fold. Pretreatment of the rats with the methanolic extract of grape pomace at 50 mg/kg (in terms of catechin equivalents) followed by CCl(4) treatment causes restoration of catalase, SOD, and peroxidase by 43.6, 73.2, and 54%, respectively, as compared with control, whereas lipid peroxidation was restored to values comparable with the control. Histopathological studies of the liver of different groups also support the protective effects exhibited by the methanol extract of grape pomace by restoring the normal hepatic architecture. Owing to this property, the studies on grape pomace can be further extended to exploit its possible application for the preservation of food products as well as a health supplement and neutraceutical.     

Insecticidal activity of huperzine A from the New Zealand clubmoss, Lycopodium varium.

A bioactivity-directed investigation of an extract of the New Zealand clubmoss, Lycopodium varium, collected on subantarctic Campbell Island, has led to the isolation of the alkaloid huperzine A (1) as the major antifeedant and insecticidal component. Huperzine A showed insecticidal activity against the Australian carpet beetle, Anthrenocerus australis (LD(50) = 110 ppm), the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (LD(50) = 2380 ppm), and the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (LD(50) = 630 ppm). Feeding by A. australis was reduced by 97% at 63 ppm.     

骆驼蓬种子提取物对斜纹夜蛾的生物活性效应

用甲醇、乙醇、丙酮、氯仿、乙酸乙酯、苯、石油醚等7种溶剂对骆驼蓬种子进行冷浸提取。提取率分别为23．91％。18．68％．17．80％，18．49％，14．31％．15．13％，17．96％。7种提取物中．以种子乙醇提取物(ESPH)对斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫的非选择性拒食活性最高。24h拒食率为70．15％。采用酸水总生物碱提取法对ESPH进行初步分离。得到氯仿、正丁醇、水及总生物碱萃取物。生物测定结果表明．总生物碱萃取物对斜纹夜蛾幼虫的生长发育抑制作用最为强烈，其次为氯仿萃取物。     

杠柳根皮粗提液对菜青虫生物活性的影响

试验研究杠柳根皮粗提液对菜青虫生物活性的影响测定结果表明,杠柳根皮乙醇提取液对菜青虫的生物活性影响高于杠柳根皮氯仿提取液和石油醚提取液,杠柳根皮乙醇提取液对菜青虫幼虫有较强的拒食作用和生长抑制作用,胃毒作用一般。用100倍液杠柳根皮乙醇提取液浸叶饲喂3龄、4龄、5龄菜青虫幼虫后24h其拒食率分别为94.9%、87.8%和92.7%,拒食后幼虫的化蛹率和蛹重均比对照显著降低。100倍液杠柳根皮乙醇提取液浸叶饲喂4龄菜青虫幼虫后24h和72h其生长抑制率分别为96.6%和82.5%。杠柳根皮乙醇提取液对菜青虫成虫产卵具有明显忌避作用,用50~100倍液杠柳根皮乙醇提取液喷雾处理油菜苗后2~4d其产卵忌避率达89.5%以上。     

Evaluation of insecticidal activity of diterpenes and lignans from Aristolochia malmeana against Anticarsia gemmatalis

The insecticidal activity of hexane extracts from the roots and leaves of Aristolochia malmeana was evaluated against Anticarsia gemmatalis larvae by topical application. Extract from the roots was the most active and caused 50% mortality in larvae at 308.4 microg/microL. From this extract, a clerodane diterpene, (-)-kolavenic acid, and three lignans, (-)-kusunokinin, (-)-hinokinin, and (8 S,8' R,9 S)-cubebin, were isolated by chromatography and partition procedures and then evaluated for their insecticidal activities either individually or in pairs. (-)-Kusunokinin showed higher activity against A. gemmatalis (LD10=9.3, LD50=230.1 microg/microL) than the crude extract, and its activity was dose-dependent, whereas the other constituents did not exhibit any significant activity. Together with (-)-kusunokinin and (-)-hinokinin, (-)-copalic acid, (-)-2-oxokolavenic acid, (-)- ent-6-beta-hydroxy-copalic acid, (8 R,8' R,9 R)- and (8 R,8' R,9 S)-cubebins, (-)-fargesin, and (-)-phillygenin were isolated from the hexane extract of the leaves. The compounds were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.     

爵床提取物的抑菌杀虫活性研究

爵床(Justicia procumbens var.procumbens L.)是一种传统中药。为探明爵床提取物的抑菌杀虫活性,采用冷浸和超声波提取相结合的方法,分别获得了爵床甲醇、氯仿、丙酮、乙酸乙酯和正己烷等溶剂提取物;并应用抑菌圈法研究了5种提取物对柑橘炭疽病菌(Colletotrichum gloeosprioides)、芦笋茎枯病菌(Phomopsisasparagi)、稻瘟病菌(Pyricularia grisea)、棉花红腐病菌(Fusarium graminearum)和草莓灰霉病菌(Botrytiscinerea)等5种植物病原真菌的抑制效果,测定了甲醇提取物对柑橘炭疽病、芦笋茎枯病、草莓灰霉病和柑橘溃疡病(Xanthomonas campestris)等4种植物病菌及白蚊伊蚊(Aedes albopictus)、家蝇(Musca domestica)和菜青虫(Pieris rapae)等3种害虫的毒力。结果表明,不同极性溶剂提取物8 mg.mL 1对5种植物病原真菌均有一定的抑制作用,其中甲醇提取物对柑橘炭疽病菌、芦笋茎枯病菌、草莓灰霉病菌的抑制率均达50%以上。爵床甲醇提取物具有较强的抑菌杀虫活性,对柑橘炭疽病菌、芦笋茎枯病菌和草莓灰霉病菌菌丝生长的抑制中浓度(EC50)分别为5.94 mg.mL 1、4.61 mg.mL 1和5.27 mg.mL 1,EC90分别为63.69 mg.mL 1、58.01 mg.mL 1和54.57 mg.mL 1;0.25~1.00 mg.mL 1爵床甲醇提取物对柑橘溃疡病病菌显示强抑菌作用,0.125 mg.mL 1显示中度抑菌作用,最小抑制浓度(MIC)为0.062 5 mg.mL 1;爵床甲醇提取物对白蚊伊蚊、家蝇和菜青虫的致死中浓度(LC50)分别为0.195 8 mg.mL 1、0.351 4 mg.mL 1和0.287 7 mg.mL 1,LC95分别为0.988 4 mg.mL 1、3.053 2mg.mL 1和2.584 4 mg.mL 1。因此,爵床提取物作为生物农药,在农业生产中具有较好的应用前景。     

Chemical composition, iron bioavailability, and antioxidant activity of Kappaphycus alvarezzi (Doty)

Kappaphycus alvarezzi, an edible seaweed from the west coast of India, was analyzed for its chemical composition. It was found that K. alvarezzi is rich in protein (16.24% w/w) and contains a high amount of fiber (29.40% w/w) and carbohydrates (27.4% w/w). K. alvarezzi showed vitamin A activity of 865 mug retinal equivalents/100 g of sample. It contained a higher quantity of unsaturated fatty acids (44.50% of the total), in which relative percentage of oleic acid was 11%, cis-heptadecanoic acid 13.50%, and linoleic acid 2.3% and 37.0% of saturated fatty acids (mainly heptadecanoic acid). K. alvarezziwas also found to be good source of minerals, viz 0.16% of calcium, 0.033% of iron, and 0.016% of zinc, which are essential for various vital biological activities. Bioavailability of iron by in vitro methods showed a higher efficiency in intestinal conditions than in stomach conditions. Ascorbic acid influenced higher bioavailability of iron. Successive extracts of n-hexane, acetone, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and direct extractables of chloroform/methanol (1:1 and 2:1) were screened for antioxidant activity using a beta-carotene linoleic acid model system (B-CLAMS), DPPH (alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl) model system and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The chloroform/methanol (2:1) extract has shown 82.5% scavenging activity at 1000 ppm. Acetone fraction extracts at the 1000 ppm level showed 63.31% antioxidant activity in beta-carotene linoleic acid system. The acetone extract showed 46.04% scavenging activity at 1000 ppm concentration. In the case of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, all the extracts showed better activity at the concentrations of 25 and 50 ppm, where at the 50 ppm level ethyl acetate extract showed 76.0%, acetone 75.12%, and hexane 71.15% activity, respectively. Results of this study suggest the utility of K. alvarezzi (Eucheuma) for various nutritional products, including antioxidant for use as health food or nutraceutical supplement.     

Biologically active components against Drosophila melanogaster from Podophyllum hexandrum

In the course of screening for novel naturally occurring insecticides from Chinese crude drugs, a dichloromethane extract of Podophyllum hexandrum was found to give an insecticidal activity against larvae of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. From the extract, an insecticidal compound was isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. The compound was identified as podophyllotoxin (1) by comparison of its spectroscopic characteristics with literature data. In bioassays for insecticidal activity, 1 showed a LC(50) value of 0.24 micromol/mL diet against larvae of D. melanogaster and a LD(50) value of 22 microg/adult against adults. Acetylpodophyllotoxin (1A), however showed slight insecticidal activity in both assays, indicating that the 4-hydroxyl group was an important function for enhanced activity of 1.     

In vitro antibacterial,antifungal, and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of herbal parts and callus cultures of Satureja hortensis L

The present study was designated to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil, obtained by using a Clevenger distillation apparatus, water soluble (polar) and water insoluble (nonpolar) subfractions of the methanol extracts from aerial parts of Satureja hortensis L. plants, and methanol extract from calli established from the seeds using Gamborg's B5 basal media supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (1.0 ppm), 6-benzylaminopurine (N(6)-benzyladenine) (1.0 ppm), and sucrose (2.5%). The antimicrobial test results showed that the essential oil of S. hortensis had great potential antimicrobial activities against all 23 bacteria and 15 fungi and yeast species tested. In contrast, the methanol extract from callus cultures and water soluble subfraction of the methanol extract did not show antimicrobial activities, but the nonpolar subfraction had antibacterial activity against only five out of 23 bacterial species, which were Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus fecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Antioxidant studies suggested that the polar subfractions of the methanol extract of intact plant and methanol extract of callus cultures were able to reduce the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl to the yellow-colored diphenylpicrylhydrazine. In this assay, the strongest effect was observed for the tissue culture extract, with an IC(50) value of 23.76 +/- 0.80 microgram/mL, which could be compared with the synthetic antioxidant agent butylated hydroxytoluene. On the other hand, linoleic acid oxidation was 95% inhibited in the presence of the essential oil while the inhibition was 90% with the chloroform subfraction of the intact plant. The chemical composition of a hydrodistilled essential oil of S. hortensis was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC)/flame ionization detection (FID) and a GC-mass spectrometry system. A total 22 constituents representing 99.9% of the essential oil were identified by GC-FID analaysis. Thymol (29.0%), carvacrol (26.5%), gamma-terpinene (22.6%), and p-cymene (9.3%) were the main components.     

Growth inhibitory effects on fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda of some limonoids isolated from Cedrela spp. (Meliaceae)

Dichloromethane extracts of Cedrela salvadorensis and Cedrela dugessi afforded a photogedunin epimeric mixture, gedunin and cedrelanolide. These compounds and the photogedunin epimeric acetates 3 and 4 at the 23-OH position were evaluated against Spodoptera frugiperda. Toosendanin, isolated from Melia azedarach, was used as a positive control. When tested for activity on neonate larvae into the no-choice bioassays, gedunin, photogedunin epimeric mixture, and photogedunin acetates mixture caused significant larval mortality with LC(50) of 39.0, 10.0, and 8.0 ppm at 7 days, respectively, as well as growth reduction. All the compounds tested inhibited larval growth, compared to the control, in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, it was possible to observe significant reduced pupal weights and adult emergence. All the tested compounds except cedrelanolide showed comparable activity to that of toosendanin.     

茄二十八星瓢虫对雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物的敏感性

为研究寄主植物对茄二十八星瓢虫药剂敏感性及体内酶活力的影响,采用浸渍法分别测定了取食茄子、马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的茄二十八星瓢虫幼虫(以下简称幼虫)对雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物的敏感性,用生化方法测定了雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物对幼虫体内乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)和主要解毒酶活性的影响。结果表明,雷公藤提取物对取食茄子、马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的幼虫LC50值分别为1.407 9 mg.L-1、1.595 8 mg.L-1、1.464 7 mg.L-1和1.109 7 mg.L-1,相对毒力指数为78.82、69.54、75.76和100;曼陀罗提取物对取食茄子、马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的幼虫LC50值分别为0.641 7 mg.L-1、0.610 3 mg.L-1、0.758 0 mg.L-1和0.488 3 mg.L-1,相对毒力指数为76.09、80.01、64.42和100;取食龙葵的幼虫对2种植物提取物的敏感性显著高于取食茄子、马铃薯和番茄的幼虫。取食4种寄主植物的幼虫体内靶标酶AChE和主要解毒酶谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)、多功能氧化酶(MFO)活力顺序均为茄子>马铃薯>番茄>龙葵。其中,取食番茄和龙葵的幼虫体内AChE和GST活力显著低于取食茄子和马铃薯的幼虫,取食马铃薯、番茄和龙葵的幼虫CarE活力显著低于取食茄子的幼虫,取食4种寄主植物的幼虫MFO活力差异达极显著水平。雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物对幼虫体内AChE和GST、CarE和MFO活性均有抑制作用。其中,对取食马铃薯幼虫的AChE活力抑制作用最强,其次为取食茄子和番茄的幼虫,对取食龙葵的幼虫抑制作用最低。雷公藤和曼陀罗提取物对取食龙葵幼虫CarE活力的抑制作用最强,而对取食马铃薯的幼虫MFO活力的抑制作用最强。寄主植物中的次生物质对解毒酶的诱导或抑制可能是引起药剂敏感性差异的主要原因。     

Effects of hexavalent chromium on development of crabs,Rhithropanopeus harrisii and Callinectes sapidus

Survival of Rhithropanopeus harrisii larvae from hatching to first crab stage occurred in Na₂CrO₄ concentrations from 1.1 to 29.1 ppm. Estimated LC50 for complete zoeal development was 17.8 ppm Na₂CrO₄ and it was 13.7 ppm for development to first crab stage. A concentration of 1.1 ppm Na₂CrO₄ was nontoxic, while Na₂CrO₄ concentrations of 7.2 and 14.5 ppm were sublethal and concentrations of 29.1 to 58.1 ppm were acutely toxic. Low concentrations of Na₂Cr0₄ caused an increase in swimming speed and high concentrations caused a decline. Survival of Callinectes sapidus larvae occurred in Na₂CrO₄ concentrations from 1.1 to 4.7 ppm. The LC50 for complete zoeal development was estimated to be 2.9 ppm Na₂CrO₄ and the LC50 for development to first crab stage was estimated to be 1.0 ppm Na₂CrO₄ The total Cr in sodium chromate is 32% by weight (Tacey,1981), hence, the total Cr concentrations tested were 32% of the Cr salts given above. Statistical analyses of the data on survival, duration and mortality of larvae are presented.     

Receptor assay-guided isolation of anti-GABAergic insecticidal alkaloids from a fungal culture

The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor bears sites of action for insecticides. To discover GABA receptor-directed insecticides in natural products, fungal culture extracts were screened for their ability to inhibit specific binding of the radiolabeled noncompetitive antagonist [3H]1-(4-ethynylphenyl)-4-n-propyl-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane to housefly head membranes. The screening efforts led to the isolation of two alkaloids from Aspergillus terreus: PF1198A (alantrypinone) and PF1198B (serantrypinone), which had IC50 values of 0.34 and 2.1 microM, respectively, in this assay. These compounds were ca. 47-61-fold selective for housefly vs rat GABA receptors. Both compounds showed insecticidal activity against Myzus persicae in the range of 100-500 ppm. Binding assay-guided screening should provide significant opportunities for the identification of novel and selective insecticides.     

High pressure liquid chromatographic detection and estimation of furazolidone and nitrofurazone in animal feeds.

The feed sample is extracted with acetone or dimethylformamide-acetone (1 + 1) and the filtered extracts are evaporated to dryness. The residue is dissolved in chloroform and transferred to a silica gel column. The nitrofurans are eluted with methanol-chloroform (50 + 50). A portion of the eluate is evaporated to dryness and the residue is redissolved in a small volume of methanol. Aliquots of the methanolic solution are injected into a liquid chromatograph with a muBondapak C18 column, using 30% acetonitrile as the eluting solvent and ultraviolet detection at 365 nm. Several samples spiked with 0.5--50 ppm furazolidone or nitrofurazone and 2 commercial samples were analyzed by the proposed method.