Effectiveness of Mexican oregano essential oil from the Dominican Republic (Lippia graveolens) against maize pests (Sitophilus zeamais and Fusarium verticillioides)

Abstract

The insecticidal and antifungal properties of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) essential oil from the Dominican Republic were investigated under laboratory conditions against two main pests of stored grains: Sitophilus zeamais and Fusarium verticillioides. Although oregano essential oil at 600 ?l/l air did not result in a significant mortality of S. zeamais after 24 hours of exposure by fumigation, this essential oil was a powerful acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor in vitro. One of the main components of oregano essential oil, p-cymene, presented fumigant toxicity and AChE inhibition activity against the maize weevil. The L. graveolens essential oil antifungal activity against F. verticillioides was evaluated at 50, 100 and 200 ?l/l, and it was found that growth parameters were affected by the presence of oregano essential oil in the media, whereas FB1 production was not inhibited. The results demonstrate that oregano essential oil and p-cymene can be used as alternatives to synthetic pesticides against F. verticillioides and S. zeamais, respectively.