Biocidal efects of extracts from Artemisia armeniaca cultivated under different enviromental conditions

Abstract

The genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) contains antiparasitic, antihelmintic, acaricidal and insect repellent compounds 1 As part of our ongoing taxonomically-oriented bioprospection of Artemisia sp we have selected A.armeniaca, a plant first described in Armenia which distribution area is Russia, eastern Anatolia, Caucasus (eastern A. armeniaca ) and Spain (western A. armeniaca, located in Sierra de Gúdar)2 where it is a rare and endangered species. Eastern A. armeniaca has been reported to contain simple and prenylated coumarins and flavonoids 3 4,s. Cuttings of western A. armeniaca from a wild population growing in Teruel (Spain) have been cultivated and vegetatively multiplied in a greenhouse. Additionally, aeroponic and in vitro transformed root cultures have been established from these plants. Organic extracts (Sohxlet ethanolic extraction) have been obtained from aerial plant parts (wild, aeroponic and greenhouse) and roots, (in vitro transformed and aeroponic). These extracts have been tested against herbivorous insects ( Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi and Spodoptera littoralis), plant parasitic nematodes ( Meloidogyne javanica ) and plants ( Latuca sativa and Lolium perenne ) . Additionally, the trypanocidal activity of these extracts on epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain have been studied. In this work we will discuss on the best methods far the sustainable production of A. armeniaca plant biomass to generate bioactive extracts. The metabolic profiles of these extracts will be correlated with their bioactivity.