Antimicrobial activity of some N-(arylalkyl)maleimides

A series of N-(arylalkyl)maleimides was prepared for the reaction of maleic anhydride and N-(arylalkyl) amines, and their antimicrobial activities were examined. All compounds exhibited antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Almost all compounds exhibited antibacterial activity against the gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, but were inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Activities against gram-positive bacteria were independent of the nature of the substituent on the benzene ring or the length of alkyl group, but that against gram-negative bacteria was influenced by these parameters. All N-(arylalkyl)maleimides showed activity against yeasts and mycelial fungi.     

Antimicrobial activity of some N-(fluorophenyl)maleimides

A variety of N-(fluorophenyl)maleimides were prepared from the reaction of maleic anhydride and fluorophenylamines, and their antimicrobial activities examined. N-(Monofluorophenyl)maleimides exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These compounds also showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Aureobasidium pullulans. All N-(fluorophenyl)maleimides tested showed activity against yeasts.     

Synthesis of some 3-phenyl-1-substituted(or 1,1- disubstituted)prop-2-yn-1-ols and their in-vivo activity against some phytopathogenic fungi

Thirty-two 3-phenyl-1-monosubstituted(or 1, 1-disubstituted)prop-2-yn-1-ols, mostly with heterocyclic substituents, and four derivatives, were synthesised and tested in vivo against eight fungal plant pathogens of different taxonomic classes. No compound showed a wide spectrum of activity, however, nine of them were effective against Sphaerotheca fuliginea on Cucumis sativus, both in direct protectant tests and in systemic protectant tests by root application.     

Effect of some herbicides on freshwater algae

The activity of 12 herbicides was tested against various freshwater algae found in Britain. Three of the most troublesome species, Cladophora glomerata L., Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum Katz., and Vaucheria dichotoma Ag. were all susceptible to methylthio-1,3,5-triazines. Terbutryne and cyanatryn were the most active and both killed C. glomerata and R. hieroglyphicum at 0.05 mg/litre. The concentration of terbutryne had to be increased to 0.1 mg/litre to control V. dichotoma. Asulam and WSCP (2.0 mg/litre), metflurazone and HZ5914 (1.0 mg/litre), copper sulphate (1.0 mg copper ion/litre) and cutrine (2.0 mg copper ion/litre) had no visible effect on the algae. Diquat (1.0 mg cation/litre) did, however, control C. glomerata and R. hieroglyphicum although, in natural conditions, the algae quickly recovered after treatment. Success with diquat (2.0 mg/litre) against V. dichotoma in laboratory experiments was not achieved in a field experiment.     

Effect of fungal metabolites and some derivatives against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Nezara viridula (L.)

Two fungal metabolites, aspyrone (3-(1,2-epoxypropyl)-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-5,6-dihydropyran-2-one) and asperlactone (3-(1,2-epoxypropyl)-5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-5-furan-2-one) were isolated from an Aspergillus ochraceus Wilhelm strain showing IGR activity against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Synthetic derivatives of aspyrone were produced using published methods. These derivatives together with aspyrone and asperlactone were tested for insect growth-regulating activity against T. castaneum, and for ovicidal activity against Nezara viridula L. Of the compounds tested asperlactone appeared to be the most active.     

Nematicidal activity of some essential plant oils

Nematicidal activity of the essential oils of different plant species belonging to the families Labiatae (Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum sanctum and Mentha piperata), Myrtaceae (Callistemon lanceolatus and Eugenia caryophyllata) and Gramineae (Cymbopogon caesius) and their major monoterpenoidal constituents, linalool, eugenol, menthol, cineole and geraniol was determined against second-stage juveniles of seed-gall nematode (Anguina tritici), citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans), root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) and pigeon-pea cyst-nematode (Heterodera cajani). The essential oil of E. caryophyllata and its major constituent eugenol, as well as linalool and geraniol, exhibited non-specific activity against all the four nematodes tested.     

Isolation and characterisation of biologically-active compounds from some plant extracts

Of the numerous fractions obtained from the crude plant extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides, Conyza dioscordisis and Convolvulus arvensis, 11 were found to be active against stored grain pests. The chemical structures of compounds present in the 11 fractions were found by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to include predominantly long-chain fatty acid esters of hexadecanoic, arachidonic, and octadecanoic acids.     

Fungicidal activity of some alkylthio-substituted 2-iodo-and 2-methylbenzanilides

Some 3′- or 4′-alkylthio-2-iodobenzanilides and some 3′-alkylthio-2-methylbenzanilides were tested in vitro and in vivo against fungal plant pathogens of different taxonomic classes and some showed activity, especially in vivo. Among all the tested compounds the 3′-alkylthio-2-iodobenzanilides revealed the highest activities.     

Bactericidal and fungicidal activity of Aspergillus ochraceus metabolites and some derivatives

The bactericidal and fungicidal activities of aspyrone and asperlactone, secondary metabolites of Aspergillus ochraceus, and some aspyrone derivatives were studied. In general, aspyrone exhibited better activity than asperlactone or aspyrone derivatives. The inhibition patterns of the assayed compounds were different. Helminthosporium monoceras was the tested mould most inhibited by the studied compounds. The comparative study of the activity of the different compounds showed that the epoxy group seems to be necessary for activity against some micro-organisms. © 1998 SCI     

The algaecidal activities of some sulphonyl derivatives of polychlorobenzenes and diphenyll Ethers

Six sulphonyl derivatives of polychlorobenzenes and 15 sulphonyl derivatives of diphenyl ethers were tested as potential algaecides against two species of algae, Chlorella fusca and Anabaena variabilis. The most algaecidal compounds were the nitrophenyl sulphonylphenyl ethers and the chloronitrophenyl sulphonylphenyl ethers, some of which compared well with the known herbicide nitrofen by the screening method used.     

The antifungal activity of some sulphonyl derivatives of isoxazole,pyrazole, thiazole and thiophene

Fifty-three heterocyclic sulphonyl derivatives including eight sulphonamides, three sulphonyl azides, nine sulphonohydrazides and twenty sulphonohydrazones of substituted thiophenes, and a smaller range of analogous isoxazoles pryazoles and thiazoles, were tested as potential fungicides in a simple screening procedure against Mucor mucedo, Septoria nodorum, Trichoderma viride, Chaetomium globosum and Aspergillus niger. Several thiophene-2-sulphonyl based compounds exhibited a high level of antifungal activity at 100 mg litre^?1 against the five test species, especially the mono-halogen-substituted sulphonamides and sulphonohydrazines, in which a single chlorine or bromine atom was substituted in the para position of an attached phenyl ring. The most active compound, against all five species of fungus was N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(trichloromethylthio) thiophene-2-sulphonamide which had average MIC₅₀ and MIC₁₀₀ values of 86 and 180 μmol respectively. (MIC₅₀ and MIC₁₀₀ values are, respectively, the concentrations required to inhibit fungal growth by 50% and to inhibit it totally.) In general, the isoxazole analogues of the thiophene-2-sulphonyl compounds exhibited a much lower fungitoxic activity, whilst the pyrazole and thiazole based compounds had little or no activity. Compared with the other results, the considerable activity shown by 4-[2′-(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)hydrazinosulphonyl]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid was unexpected.     

The toxicities of some analogues of dieldrin,endosulfan and isobenzan to bloodsucking diptera,especially tsetse flies

The dieldrin analogue, 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11-hexachloro-4, 5-exo-epoxy-2, 3-7, 6-endo-tricyclo-[6.2.1.0^{2, 7}]undec-9-ene (HEOM), and the isomeric 3, 4-exo-epoxy-and 3, 6-endo-epoxy compounds (HCE and ODA, respectively), incorporating structural modifications of the non-chlorinated ring system, were tested against adult mosquitoes (mainly Anopheles stephensi List.), tsetse flies (mainly Glossina austeni Newst.) and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). The order of toxicity was ODA > HCE > HEOM. In further tests of residual activity against A. stephensi, ODA was better than HCE but neither was sufficiently persistent to be a promising mosquito toxicant. Analogues of dieldrin (HEOD), endosulfan and isobenzan with reduced numbers of chlorine atoms were tested against G. austeni. In the pentachloro-analogues of dieldrin and α-endosulfan, the anti-bridge chlorine was more important than the syn-chlorine for toxicity. The general effect of reductive dechlorination was to reduce toxicity, but the effect was small for some endosulfan analogues and in one case there was an increase in toxicity. In the main, toxicities of the endosulfan analogues compared favourably with those of the dieldrin analogues. However, toxicity fell drastically following replacement of the second ethylenic chlorine in isobenzan. The effect of these structural changes on toxicity evidently varied from one series to another and was influenced in an unpredictable manner by the rest of the molecule.     

Feeding‐deterrent activity of α‐asarone isomers against some stored Coleoptera

All isomers of α‐asarone [(E)‐4‐prop‐1‐enyl‐1,2,5‐trimethoxybenzene] were tested for their feeding deterrent activity against adults of Sitophilus granarius and Tribolium confusum and larvae of Trogoderma granarium and Tribolium confusum. (E)‐2‐prop‐1‐enyl‐1,3,5‐trimethoxybenzene exhibited the strongest deterrent activity against all the species tested. The total coefficients of deterrency for this compound were 140.6 and 169.7 for Tribolium confusum adults and larvae, respectively, and 144.9 and 104.6 for larvae of Trogoderma granarium and adults of Sitophilus granarius, respectively. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The activity of some pyrethroids against Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica

The knockdown and contact killing actions of various pyrethroids were compared using Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana. A wide range of knockdown activity was found; 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (1R)-cis-3-(dihydro-2-oxo-3-thienylidenemethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (RU 15525) acted fastest, more rapidly than pyrethrins, against B. germanica as well as having a low LD₅₀ value. Topical application and direct spray tests showed that (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1R)-cir-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (NRDC 161) was more active as a killing agent, by an order of magnitude, than cismethrin, the next most active compound, and also had considerable knockdown activity. Piperonyl butoxide generally had little synergist effect. Female P. americana were over three times more tolerant than males to a range of insecticides applied topically. Residual knockdown action in the WHO resistance test was observed to provide baseline data. There was little overlap in speed of action between pyrethroids and other insecticides among the compounds tested.     

Antinematodal activity of some Malaysian plant extracts against the pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Methanolic extracts of 79 Malaysian plants representing 42 families were assessed for antinematodal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus using a fungal-feeding assay. Extracts of 27 plants from 19 families showed antinematodal activity, while 52 species were inactive. Five extracts (Sauropus androgynus, Eugenia polyantha, Areca catechu, Piper betle and Piper nigrum) exhibited very strong activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus at a minimum effective dose (MED) of 0·625 mg per ball. Strong antinematodal activity (MED: 1·25–2·5 mg per ball) was shown by the extracts of Spondias cyntherea, Codiageum variegatum, Euodia glabra and Cicca acida. Eleven extracts (Carica papaya, Ipomoea aquatica, Ocimum basilicum, Leea gigantea, Pithecellobium jiringa, Crypteronia paniculata, Myristica fragrans, Murraya koenigii, Leucaena leucocephala, Melastoma malabathricum and Morinda citrifolia) demonstrated moderate activity between MED of 5 and 10 mg per ball, and weak activity was observed in seven extracts (Ipomoea batatas, Cymbopogon citratus, Garcinia atroviridis, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Tamarindus indica, Allium odorum and Stenochalaena palustris). © 1997 SCI     

Preparation of some novel phosphonamidates,their phytotoxicity and herbicidal properties

Fourteen new O-phenyl/4-chlorophenyl-N-alkyl/aryl-2-chloroethyl phosphonamidates have been prepared and screened for their phytotoxicity towards monocotyledonous (wheat) and dicotyledonous (mustard) plants and herbicidal activity against wild oat. O-Phenyl-N-propyl-2-chloroethyl phosphonamidate was found to be the most phytotoxic (pre-emergence) and also possessed herbicidal properties. Wheat showed maximum resistance to most of the compounds (post-emergence). N-propyl-4-chlorophenyl-2-chloroethyl phosphonamidate was the least active molecule. © 1998 SCI.     

The use of piperonyl butoxide and MGK-264 to improve the efficacy of some plant-derived molluscicides

Synergism of an oil of Azadirachta indica, a powdered extract of Allium sativum bulbs and an oleoresin of Zingiber officinale rhizomes by piperonyl butoxide and MGK-264 was studied against the snails Lymnaea acuminata and Indoplanorbis exustus. The active components of these plant-derived molluscicides, respectively azadirachtin, allicin and [6]gingerol, were also combined with these synergists. Both piperonyl butoxide and MGK-264 enhanced the toxicity of all of the test compounds. The response of snails to the synergised mixtures was both time- and dose-dependent. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships for anticipated molluscicidal activity of some 2-amino-5-substituted pyridine derivatives

A series of 2-amino-5-substituted pyridine derivatives was synthesized and their molluscicidal activity against white garden, Theba pisana (Müller), and brown garden, Helix aspersa (Müller), snails was investigated by two methods of application. Some of these compounds showed strong activity under laboratory conditions against the two types of snail. T pisana was more sensitive to the tested compounds than H aspersa. The most effective compounds were 2-amino-5-(benzotriazole-1-ylmethyl)-3-methylpyridine, 2-amino-5-[1-(benzotriazole-1-yl)nonyl]-3-methylpyridine and 2-[(1,2,4-triazole-1-ylmethyl)amino]-3-methylpyridine which exhibited high molluscicidal activity. The toxicity results are discussed in relation to the chemical structures. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Use of some plant extracts to control Biomphalaria alexandrina snails with emphasis on some biological effects

The present work was carried out to evaluate, the molluscicidal activity of cold water, boiled water, methanol, ethanol, acetone and chloroform extracts of some plant species against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails. Preliminary screening tests on 10 plant species showed that the highest molluscicidal potency was recorded for Euphorbia splendens, Atriplex stylosa and Guayacum officinalis. Exposure of B. alexandrina snails to plant’s methanol extracts led to a significant reduction in their survival and growth rates. In addition, newly hatched snails were susceptible to plant’s methanol extracts than elder ones. LC₂₅ of methanol extract from these plants caused a considerable reduction in the infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia to the snails. It caused a reduction in number of cercariae per snail during the patent period and in the period of cercarial shedding. The results, also, revealed that the glucose concentration in treated snails was increased in haemolymph, while soft tissue glycogen decreased. The activities of glycogen phosphorylase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6-phosphatase and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in homogenate of snail’s tissues were reduced (P < 0.001) in response to treatment with plants methanol extract, while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity increased (P < 0.001). It was concluded that the application of LC₂₅ of methanol extracts of E. splendens, A. stylosa and G. officinalis may be helpful in snail control as it interferes with the snails’ biology and physiology.     

Insecticidal properties of some allethrin isomers used in coil formulations against mosquitoes

Previous studies have been made on the relative efficacy of the eight possible stereoisomers of allethrolonyl chrysanthemate. Some of these compounds and their mixtures have been classified according to their knockdown activity against Aedes aegypti. Two techniques were used, the contact method recommended by WHO and the method described by Katsuda and Ogami to study the effect on mosquitoes of the smoke from burning coils. Results show that on Aedes aegypti, the relative knockdown activity of the various stereoisomers of allethrin was about the same with both methods. The d trans chrysanthemate of d allethrolone (S-Bioallethrin) was the most effective.