Chemical composition and acaricidal activity of the leaf and fruit essential oils of Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand (Burseraceae)

Abstract

Essential oils from leaves and fruits of Protium heptaphyllum collected in Tamandaré beach - Pernambuco/Brazil were analysed by GC/MS and tested for toxicity and repellent effect against the two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). The major constituent identified in the fruits was α-terpinene (47.6%) whereas oil from leaf contained mainly sesquiterpenes such as 9-epi-caryophyllene (21.4%), trans-isolongifolanone (10.7%) and 14-hydroxi-9-epi-caryophyllene (16.7%). The fruit oil was found to be more effective against the mite when compared to the leaf oil. Both showed mortality properties and oviposition deterrence in higher concentration (10 μl.l -1 air), but only the essential oil from fruits induced repellence on T. urticae.