Effect of Calendula officinalis extracts on the nutrient components of different tissues of tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius

Abstract

The impact of leaf and flower extracts of Calendula officinalis on total protein and total carbohydrate contents of the hemolymph, midgut and midgut content of Spodoptera litura larvae were studied. Among the leaf and flower extracts tested in the hemolymph, the highest reduction in protein content of the larvae was caused by chloroform leaf and benzene flower extracts whereas in the midgut, chloroform leaf and petroleum ether flower extracts reduced the protein to the maximum. Aqueous leaf and flower extracts had least activity in both hemolymph and midgut. However, in the midgut content, methanol leaf and chloroform flower showed maximum reduction in protein content and petroleum ether leaf and methanol flower showed least reduction. Total carbohydrate content was reduced by chloroform leaf, and petroleum ether flower extracts in hemolymph with least reduction in benzene leaf and flower extracts treated larvae. In the midgut, chloroform leaf and flower extract caused maximum reduction whereas in the midgut content, methanol leaf and petroleum ether flower extracts showed reduction in carbohydrate content, while aqueous leaf and flower extracts showed an increase in carbohydrate content in midgut content contrary to midgut. However, when compared to control, the protein and carbohydrate content were reduced in all the tissues of treated larvae irrespective of the extracts tested. These results suggest that Calendula extracts affect the nutritional status of Spodoptera litura larvae. © JBiopest.