Pest Management Science (2000) 56, 1086-1092

Hemanta Chowdhury, Suresh Walia and Vinod S. Saxena (2000)
Isolation, characterization and insect growth inhibitory activity of major turmeric constituents and their derivatives against Schistocerca gregaria (Forsk) and Dysdercus koenigii (Walk)
Pest Management Science 56 (12), 1086-1092
Abstract: Curcuminoids, the major colouring constituents of Curcuma longa (turmeric) rhizome powder, comprise mainly three closely related curcumins (I, II and III). A simple method has been devised for their efficient extraction and separation. Their structures have been confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and unique mass fragmentation pattern. Curcumin-I, the major constituent has been converted to five alkyl ether derivatives, which have been tested along with the parent compounds and other extractives for insect growth inhibitory activity against Schistocerca gregaria and Dysdercus koenigii nymphs. At 20 µg per nymph, benzene extract and dibutyl curcumin-I were the most active (60% inhibition) against S gregaria, whereas at 50 µg per nymph these substances exhibited moderate growth-inhibitory activity (45%) against D. koenigii nymphs. At these concentrations, turmeric oil caused 50-60% nymphal mortality in both test insects. The insect control activity of most of the turmeric products was comparable to or better than that of a commercial neem formulation.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Database assignments for author(s): Suresh Walia

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Schistocerca gregaria
	Dysdercus koenigii