Antifeedant activity of secondary metabolites of citrus waste on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

This study evaluated the antifeedant activity of ethanol extracts and purified fractions of citrus waste (Citrus sinensis and Citrus limonia) on an in vitro colony of Spodoptera frugiperda, a species considered a pest on corn and other crops in Colombia. The citrus residues (peels and seeds obtained from waste from the production of juices), were extracted with ethanol by liquid/liquid fractionation using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and water. The extracts and fractions were characterized by thin layer chromatography and phytochemical screening tests on wet basis to identify key bioactive cores. The antifeedant activity was evaluated by preference test with discs of Ricinus communis impregnated with solution at different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1% m/v) of the extracts and their fractions. The deterrent, anti-appetitive index and the rate of increase in weight of larvae were determined. The tests indicated that antifeedant activity was dose-dependent, under treatment of dichloromethane extracts and fractions of seeds, which showed greater antifeedant effect. The peels did not show significant activity at the concentrations tested. The results suggest that kind of compounds found in citrus waste, have an antifeedant activity and could be potentially used in the control of S. frugiperda.