TITLE:
Evaluation of Pesticidal Activities of Lignans Isolated from Piper cubeba Fruits
AUTHORS:
Victor Pena Ribeiro, Joanna Bajsa-Hirschel, Prabin Tamang, Alden S. Estep, Jairo Kenupp Bastos, Kumudini M. Meepagala
KEYWORDS:
Piper cubeba, Lignans, Herbicidal, Fungicidal, Larvicidal
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment,
Vol.13 No.4,
November
5,
2024
ABSTRACT: The identification of natural, plant-derived compounds with pesticidal properties is crucial for developing environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides. In this study, four major lignans—dihydroclusin, cubebin, clusin, and yatein—were isolated from the crude extract of Piper cubeba fruit. Phytotoxicity assays revealed herbicidal activity against Agrostis stolonifera, with dihydroclusin and clusin exhibiting the highest efficacy, inhibiting seed germination by 50% and showing IC50 values of 2.9 µM and 45 µM, respectively, against Lemna paucicostata. Additionally, all compounds, except dihydroclusin, demonstrated fungicidal activity against the strawberry anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum fragariae. Moreover, only dihydroclusin exhibited larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, causing 96% mortality of mosquito larvae at the 100-ppm concentration tested. These findings highlight the broad-spectrum bioactivity of Piper cubeba lignans, suggesting their potential as alternative agents of synthetic pesticides for managing agricultural pests.