Compositions and insecticidal properties of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds essential oil and CO2 extracts

Botanical insecticides correspond to the current demand for green agriculture and chemical-free products. Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae) is known as a plant with various bioactivities. This study was performed to evaluate the insecticidal potency of C. sativum against Musca domestica adults. Three samples obtained from coriander seeds by different methods (namely subcritical CO2 extraction, distillation, and supercritical fluid CO2 extraction) were tested. The chemical compositions of C. sativum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The main constituents identified in the essential oil and the supercritical fluid extract were linalool, camphor/bornanone, cis-linalool oxide, trans-linalool oxide, and α-pinene. The adulticidal activities of the C. sativum samples against M. domestica in the current study increased in the order of subcritical CO2 extract < essential oil < supercritical CO2 extract. Probit analysis of the dose-dependent mortality at 24 h after contact of flies with the residuals of the supercritical fluid C. sativum extract and permethrin (a positive control) revealed that their lethal doses for 50% mortality were 255 µg/cm2 (or 2450 ppm) and 0.239 µg/cm2 (or 2.3 ppm) respectively. Values of the time for 50% insecticidal effect indicated that the supercritical fluid extract (0.210 ± 0.040 h) was as fast-acting as permethrin (0.210 ± 0.003 h). The percentages of recovered insects after contacting flies with the supercritical fluid C. sativum extract and permethrin were similar (3.17 ± 1.59% and 3.22 ± 0.81% respectively). These results suggest that C. sativum seed extract obtained by supercritical fluid extraction may be useful as a botanical insecticide against M. domestica adults.