Organosulphur constituents in garlic oil elicit antennal and behavioural responses from the yellow fever mosquito
Autor(es): Campbell, C.; Gries, R.; Khaskin, G.; Gries, G.
Resumo: Garlic (Allium sativum) and its essential oil have long been used for their distinct flavour, therapeutic effects and as a topical and systemic insect repellent. We tested the hypothesis that the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), responds electrophysiologically and behaviourally to specific components of the steam-distilled essential oil of garlic. In coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection analyses of garlic oil, antennae of female Ae. aegypti responded to 14 compounds. Seven of them [diallyl disulphide, diallyl trisulphide, diallyl tetrasulphide, 2-(2,3-dithia-5-hexenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyran, 3-(2,3-dithia-5-hexenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyran, 6-methyl-4,5,8,9-tetrathiadodeca-1,11-diene and 4,5,9,10-tetrathiatrideca-1,12-diene] were isolated or synthesized and tested for their ability to repel host-seeking female Ae. aegypti. A solution of diallyl trisulphide and diallyl tetrasulphide applied to a human forearm provided protection from female mosquitoes significantly longer than the paraffin oil control. All compounds had mean protection times significantly shorter than an equivalent dose of the 'gold standard'N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide. Understanding the common moiety in organosulfur compounds that causes repellence could lead to the design of analogues that are more effective than their natural counterparts in repelling mosquitoes.
Palavras-Chave: Aedes aegypti; Allium sativum; Essential oil; Garlic; Repellent; Yellow fever mosquito
Imprenta: Journal of Applied Entomology, v. 135, n. 5, p. 374-381, 2011
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2010.01570.x
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Repellent ; Aedes aegypti - Public health
Data de publicação: 2011
