Machaerium opacum Vogel (Fabaceae): phytochemical study and toxicity to Atta sexdens Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

In this work was described the phytochemical investigation of Machaerium opacum Vogel (Fabaceae) leaves as well as the insecticidal activity of its crude extract and fractions against Atta sexdens Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The phytochemical study led to the identification of α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol, phytol, isomucronulatol and rutin, described for the first time in M. opacum and mucronulatol. Insecticidal activity was assessed by the ingestion of the crude extract and fractions incorporated into an artificial diet at three different concentrations (0.2, 1.0 and 2.0 mg mL⁻¹). Statistical analysis revealed that all the samples of M. opacum at all concentrations tested showed significant results when compared to the pure diet control.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Insecticidal activity
• leaf-cutting ant
• toxicological bioassays

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. The contribution of each author to develop this article is equivalent, and all of them read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Nível Superior) and UEG (Universidade Estadual de Goiás) for the financial support.