Monitoring and Assessment of Piper guineense Seed Crude Flavonoids for Attractant Activity Using Prostephanus truncatus (Larger Grain Borer) | Chapter 19 | New Perspectives in Agriculture and Crop Science Vol. 3

 Background: Prostephanus truncatus, also known as the larger grain borer (LGB), is a maize pest that can infest field crops in storage as well as maize. Natural ways of managing the larger grain borer (LGB) population are increasingly required, as the use of synthetic pesticides has resulted in catastrophic effects on both the environment and non-target species. In recent years, this has been a major problem for chemical ecologists.

Objective: This study seeks to establish whether or not Piper Guineense seed crude flavonoids are attracted to LGB, a storage pest of Zea maize, Manihot esculenta and Theobroma cacao. If LGB is attracted to the crude P. guineense seed flavonoids, then crude flavonoids could be used to control or handle the LGB population in baited traps.
Methods: Piper guineense seeds were extracted from bound and sugar-free flavonoids by treating powdered seeds in methanol (80%), n-hexane for the removal of fatty components and dissolving in a diethyl ether-ethyl acetate solvent blend (1:1), followed by refluxing fraction of ethyl acetate in sulphuric acid (7%). For attractant behaviour in a Y-glass tube experiment, concentrations of bound and sugar free flavonoids, lemon juice and blends (0.0, 0.1, 0.4, 1.0, and 1.4 percent w/w) were analysed.
Results and Conclusion: By its application in combination with a toxicant on a non-food crop to attract and destroy LBGs, rudimentary flavonoids of Piper guineense seed can be used to monitor or control LGB infestations on maize. LGBs were attracted by bound and sugar free flavonoids, revealing the potential of attractants, and could be used to control or manage the LGB population in baited traps. The attractant activity of both bound and sugar free flavonoids was antagonised by lemon juice.

Author(s) Details

Valentine C. Mbatchou
Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, University for Development Studies, P.O.Box 24, Navrongo, Ghana.

V. Ghafa
Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, University for Development Studies, P.O.Box 24, Navrongo, Ghana.

Emmanuel Muluh Khan

Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

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