Phytochemical analysis and insecticidal effect of essential oils from Myroxylon peruiferum (Leguminosae) and Eugenia gracillima (Myrtaceae) for the control of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition of essential oils from Myroxylon peruiferum and Eugenia gracillima and determine the larvicidal potential of the oils against Aedes aegypti. Essential oils from the leaves and young stems of M. peruiferum (EOLMP and EOAMP) and the leaves of E. gracillima (EOLEG) were obtained through hydrodistillation. The major constituents of EOLMP were alpha-pinene (18.0%) and delta-cadinene (14.2%); the major constituents of EOAMP were spathulenol (22.9%) and beta-elemene (12.4%) and the major constituents of EOLEG were delta-elemene (40.4%) and germacrene D (25.2%). The two oils extracted from M. peruiferum were very active against A. aegypti larvae and had similar lethal concentrations (LC50 = 0.7 mg/mL). The oil extracted from E. gracillima had an LC50 of 1.51 mg/mL. The essential oils from M. peruiferum and E. gracillima constitute promising sources for the formulation of novel insecticides for the control of the mosquito Aedes aegypti.