Researchers Propose that diterpene alkaloids extracted from Delphinium brunonianum Royle as a Novel Pesticide for Managing Citrus Pests

In a study published in Industrial Crops and Products, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Urumqi, China, explored the insecticidal potential of Delphinium brunonianum Royle alkaloids against the adults of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri and its mechanism study in insect SF9 cell line.

The Asian citrus psyllid is a vector of the deadly disease of citrus species Huanglongbing (HLB), which poses a significant threat to citrus production across the globe. The Asian citrus psyllid is a primary vector. HLB is considered the greatest threat to the citrus industry across the world.

The management of HLB mainly relies on using various groups of synthetic chemical insecticides to suppress the psyllid populations. The massive and repetitive use of these synthetic insecticides results in pest resurgence, insecticide resistance, health hazards, and environmental pollution. Therefore, there is a need to develop eco-friendly novel candidates that have no or minimal impact on humans and the environment.

The current study indicated that four alkaloids were isolated and identified from D. brunonianum. The result of cell viability, DNA fragmentation, and morphological changes in treated SF9 cells showed that the isolated alkaloids inhibit cell proliferation and induced apoptosis and thus exert insecticidal effects. Therefore, it has been concluded that these isolated alkaloids have the potential as a raw material for biopesticide development, and there is a need to conserve this plant as a source of raw materials for biopesticide development and recommend its cultivation as a potential pesticidal crop, which eventually boosts local people's economy and socioeconomic development.

Experimental Flow chart

Contact:  

LIU Jie 

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography 

Tel: 86-0991-7885505 

E-mail: liujie@ms.xjb.ac.cn 

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn/