GC-MS Chemical Profiling, Quantitative Phytochemical Mapping, and Insecticidal Efficacy of Mentha longifolia Leaf Extract

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 11, No. 9, September 2020 | pp. 65–72

DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJC/000143

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: GC-MS Chemical Profiling, Quantitative Phytochemical Mapping, and Insecticidal Efficacy of Mentha longifolia Leaf Extract

Names of Authors: S. A. Abdulrahman¹, C. A. Rossi²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria.
²Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

Abstract: The continuous emergence of chemical resistance among stored-grain insect pests requires the formulation of alternative botanical insecticides to minimize chemical pesticide hazards in agricultural facilities. This research reports the qualitative chemical characterization, volatile compound identification via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and in vitro insecticidal efficacy of Mentha longifolia leaf essential oil against Tribolium castaneum (Red flour beetle). Essential oils obtained via hydro-distillation in a Clevenger apparatus were separated into 19 distinct peaks through GC-MS profiling, with piperitone oxide (42.5%), menthone (18.2%), and pulegone (12.4%) emerging as the primary bioactive constituents. Insecticidal bioassays were conducted utilizing contact toxicity tests across a suite of oil concentrations (10 to 50 microliters/square meter) over 24-hour exposure periods. The essential oil demonstrated significant lethal potency, yielding an LC50 value of 18.4 microliters/square meter and an LC90 value of 34.2 microliters/square meter against the beetle populations. A linear correlation was observed between the concentration of oxygenated monoterpenes and insect mortality rates. This confirms that volatile monoterpenoids actively disrupt the respiratory and acetylcholinesterase enzymes of beetles, providing a sustainable botanical framework for grain storage protection.

Keywords: Mentha longifolia; Essential oils; GC-MS analysis; Piperitone oxide; Contact toxicity; Tribolium castaneum

Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 04, 2020; Revised: May 11, 2020; Accepted: June 20, 2020; Published: September 09, 2020.

Citation: Abdulrahman, S. A., & Rossi, C. A. (2020). GC-MS Chemical Profiling, Quantitative Phytochemical Mapping, and Insecticidal Efficacy of Mentha longifolia Leaf Extract. International Journal of Chemistry, 11(9), 65–72.

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