Hyptis mociniana (Benth.) Epling Aerial Parts Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity Against Cydia pomonella and Drosophila melanogaster Larvae

Abstract

The Hyptis genus includes several aromatic plants from disturbed sites in the tropics. These species are important economic sources of essential oils and are used in folk medicine worldwide. Hyptis mociniana is native to México, and its essential oil chemical composition and biological activities have not been reported. The goal of this study was to determine the chemical profile of the essential oil of H. mociniana as well as to evaluate its insecticidal activity. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed with the aid of a GC/MS system. In the essential oil, 16 terpenes were identified, with palustrol, α-pinene, β-caryophyllene and germacrene D as the main components. The essential oil showed insecticidal activity against Cydia pomonella and Drosophila melanogaster larvae.

Keywords:

• Hyptis mociniana
• essential oil
• palustrol
• larvicidal activity