Zuccagnia punctata Cav. Essential Oil into Poly(ε-caprolactone) Matrices as a Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Strategy Biorepellent against Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)
Moléculas; 26 (13), 2021
Publication year: 2021
The main strategies against Triatoma infestans (primary vector responsible for the Chagas
disease transmission) are the elimination or reduction of its abundance in homes through the application of insecticides or repellents with residual power, and environmental management through the
improvement of housing. The use of plant-derived compounds as a source of therapeutic agents (i.e.,
essential oils from aromatic plants and their components) is a valuable alternative to conventional
insecticides and repellents. Essential oil-based insect repellents are environmentally friendly and provide reliable personal protection against the bites of mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects. This study investigates, for the first time to our knowledge, the potential repellent activity of Zuccagnia
punctata essential oil (ZEO) and poly(ε-caprolactone) matrices loaded with ZEO (ZEOP) prepared by
solvent casting. The analysis of its essential oil from aerial parts by GC–FID and GC-MS, MS allowed
the identification of 25 constituents representing 99.5% of the composition. The main components of
the oil were identified as (−)-5,6-dehydrocamphor (62.4%), alpha-pinene (9.1%), thuja-2, 4 (10)-diene
(4.6%) and dihydroeugenol (4.5%). ZEOP matrices were homogeneous and opaque, with thickness
of 800 ± 140 µm and encapsulation efficiency values above 98%. ZEO and ZEOP at the lowest
dose (0.5% wt./wt., 96 h) showed a repellency of 33 and 73% respectively, while at the highest dose
(1% wt./wt., 96 h) exhibited a repellent activity of 40 and 66 %, respectively. On the other hand, until
72 h, ZEO showed a strong repellent activity against T. infestans (88% repellency average; Class V)
to both concentrations, compared with positive control N-N diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET).
The essential oils from the Andean flora have shown an excellent repellent activity, highlighting the
repellent activity of Zuccagnia punctata. The effectiveness of ZEO was extended by its incorporation
in polymeric systems and could have a potential home or peridomiciliary use, which might help
prevent, or at least reduce, Chagas’ disease transmission.