Abstract

BIOMARKERS AND LARVICIDAL PROPERTIES OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE RHIZOMES ON SPODOPTERA LITTORALIS

Hala M. I. Mead*

ABSTRACT

The rhizomes of ginger, Zingiber officinale were extracted using ethyl alcohol as a solvent and subjected to GC-MS analysis to identify its main constituents. Zingiberene (15.78%), β-seiquphellandrene (12.71%), α-curcumene (11.28), α-Himachalene (10.13%) and α-Fernesene (9.77%) were the major components. The extract of Z. officinale exhibited pronounced toxic effects against 4th instar larvae of S. littoralis, whereas LC50 and LC90 were (5.78 and 50.80 %), respectively. Using scanning electron microscope, deformations in the morphological features of head capsule and mouthparts of larvae treated at LC50 level of the ethanolic extract of ginger lead to starvation and ultimately death as compared to control larvae. Generally, the activities of α-amylase, invertase and trehalase enzymes were significantly reduced relative to untreated ones.

Keywords: Zingiber officinale extract, Spodoptera littoralis, toxicity, enzymes, morphology.