Abstract
The seasonal variation in respect to the yield and chemical composition of 24 essential oils (EOs) isolated from various parts (leaves and fruits) of two indigenous Greece Juniperus species (family Cupressaceae), namely Juniperus drupacea and Juniperus phoenica, were determined by GC and GC/MS analysis. The larvicidal properties of these EOs were evaluated against 3rd and early 4th instar larvae of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) at one screening dose (29 mg L−1). Moreover, the repellent activity against adult mosquitoes was also evaluated at one screening dose. The analytical data indicated that the EOs mainly consisted of monoterpenes, mostly cyclic and only occasionally aliphatic and to a lesser percent diterpenes. The EOs yield was sharply increased when the plant material was subjected to pre-treatment before steam distillation. Finally, the influence of plant material collection period on their yield and chemical content was also determined. Bioactivity assessments indicated that three EOs possess very potent larvicidal properties and 12 EOs display significant repellent activities since they were proved to be “DEET-like.” Therefore, they represent an inexpensive source of natural mixtures of larvicidal and repellent mixture of natural compounds, with potentials for application for utilization in mosquito control schemes in order to prevent the expansion of viral infections.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.References
Adams RP (1995) Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography / mass spectroscopy. Allured Publishing, Carol Stream
Amer A, Mehlhorn H (2006a) Larvicidal effects of various essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex larvae (Diptera, Culicidae). Parasitol Res 99:466–472
Amer A, Mehlhorn H (2006b) Persistency of larvicidal effects of plant oil extracts under different storage conditions. Parasitol Res 99:473–477
Amer A, Mehlhorn H (2006c) Repellency effects of forty-one essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquitoes. Parasitol Res 99:478–490
Carroll JF, Tabanca N, Kramer M, Elejalde NM, Wedge DE, Bernier UR, Coy M, Becnel JJ, Demirci B, Başer KHC, Zhang J, Zhang S (2011) Essential oils of Cupressus funebris, Juniperus communis, and J. chinensis (Cupressaceae) as repellents against ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and as toxicants against mosquitoes. J Vector Ecol 36:258–268
Dias CN, Moraes DFC (2014) Essential oils and their compounds as Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) larvicides: review. Parasitol Res 113:565–592
Ennajar M, Afloulous S, Romdhane M, Ibrahim H, Cazaux S, Abderraba M, Raies A, Bouajila J (2011) Influence of the process, season, and origin on volatile composition and antioxidant activity of Juniperus phoenicea L. leaves essential oils. J Food Sci 76:224–230
Evergetis E, Michaelakis A, Haroutounian SA (2013) Exploitation of Apiaceae family essential oils as potent biopesticides and rich source of phellandrenes. Ind Crops Prod 41:365–370
Giatropoulos A, Papachristos DP, Kimbaris A, Koliopoulos G, Polissiou MG, Emmanouel N, Michaelakis A (2012) Evaluation of bioefficacy of three Citrus essential oils against the dengue vector Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in correlation to their components enantiomeric distribution. Parasitol Res 111:2253–2263
Giatropoulos A, Pitarokili D, Papaioannou F, Papachristos DP, Koliopoulos G, Emmanouel N, Tzakou O, Michaelakis A (2013) Essential oil composition, adult repellency and larvicidal activity of eight Cupressaceae species from Greece against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitol Res 112:1113–1123
Hashemi SM, Rostaefar A (2014) Insecticidal activity of essential oil from Juniperus communis L. subsp. hemisphaerica (Presl) Nyman against two stored product beetles. Ecol Balk 6:87–93
Karunamoorthi K, Girmay A, Hayleeyesus SF (2014) Mosquito repellent activity of essential oil of Ethiopian ethnomedicinal plant against Afro-tropical malarial vector Anopheles arabiensis. J King Saud Univ Sci 26:305–310
Lebouvier N, Hue T, Hnawia E, Lesaffre L, Menut C, Nour M (2013) Acaricidal activity of essential oils from five endemic conifers of New Caledonia on the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Parasitol Res 112:1379–1384
Massada Y (1976) Analysis of essential oil by gas chromatography and spectrometry. Wiley, New York
Medini H, Elaissi A, Farhat F, Khouja ML, Chemli R, Harzallah-Skhiri F (2009) Seasonal and geographical influences on the chemical composition of Juniperus phoenicea L. essential oil leaves from the Northern Tunisia. Chem Biodivers 6:1378–1387
Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1995) Biometry, 3rd edn. W. H Freeman, New York
Vourlioti-Arapi F, Michaelakis A, Evergetis A, Koliopoulos G, Haroutounian SA (2012) Essential oils of six indigenus in Greece Juniperus taxa, Chemical composition and larvicidal activity against the West Nile virus vector Culex pipiens. Parasitol Res 110:1829–1839
Weldon PJ, Carroll JF, Kramer M, Bedoukian RH, Coleman RE, Bernier UR (2011) Anointing chemicals and hematophagous arthropods: responses by ticks and mosquitoes to Citrus (Rutaceae) peel exudates and monoterpene components. J Chem Ecol 37:348–359
WHO (1981) Instructions for determining the susceptibility or resistance of mosquito larvae to insecticides, vol WHO/VBC/81.807. 1981. World Health Organization, Geneva
Acknowledgments
This work was conducted within the framework of LIFE CONOPS project entitled “Development & demonstration of management plans against -the climate change enhanced- invasive mosquitoes in S. Europe,” which is co-funded by the EU Environmental Funding Programme LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance (LIFE12 ENV/GR/000466). The authors would like to thank MIMIKOS Company (Hellenic Quality Foods AET, Nea Artaki Evias, Greece) for providing the chicken blood for the performance of the tests.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Evergetis, E., Michaelakis, A., Papachristos, D.P. et al. Seasonal variation and bioactivity of the essential oils of two Juniperus species against Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894). Parasitol Res 115, 2175–2183 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-4959-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-4959-8