Metabolic response of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to essential oil of Ajwain and thymol

Abstract

The effects of Carum copticum essential oil (CC EO) and thymol were assayed against fourth instar of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller by determining insecticidal activities and enzymatic responses. Concentrations of 5.42 and 6.81 μl/ml were obtained as LC₅₀ values for CC EO and thymol, respectively. The activities of esterases, aminotransferases, aldolase, and lactate dehydrogenase significantly decreased in the treated larvae by CC EO and thymol. Significant increases in glutathione S-transferases, γ-glutamyl transferase, and phosphatases were observed after treatment. Results revealed that CC EO and thymol significantly influenced the enzymatic activities of E. kuehniella leading to disruption of survival and metabolic responses.

Keywords:

• Ephestia kuehniella
• oral toxicity, Carum copticum
• thymol
• detoxifying enzymes
• intermediary metabolism

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Department of Plant Protection, University of Zabol (Zabol, Iran) and University of Guilan (Rasht, Iran) for providing the necessary facilities to carry out this work.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.