Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored products

Abstract Synthetic pesticides pose a risk to the environment and human health by contaminating soil, water, and food chains. Natural plant-based alternatives offer a safer and more sustainable solution by reducing pollution, supporting biodiversity, and minimising pesticide resistance. This study ev...

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Main Authors: Paulina Bączek, Jacek Łyczko, Kamila Twardowska, Mariusz Iwanowski, Iwona Gruss, Jacek Twardowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10326-1
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author Paulina Bączek
Jacek Łyczko
Kamila Twardowska
Mariusz Iwanowski
Iwona Gruss
Jacek Twardowski
author_facet Paulina Bączek
Jacek Łyczko
Kamila Twardowska
Mariusz Iwanowski
Iwona Gruss
Jacek Twardowski
author_sort Paulina Bączek
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Synthetic pesticides pose a risk to the environment and human health by contaminating soil, water, and food chains. Natural plant-based alternatives offer a safer and more sustainable solution by reducing pollution, supporting biodiversity, and minimising pesticide resistance. This study evaluated the antifeedant activity of methanolic leaves extracts from invasive black cherry (Prunus serotina Erhr.) against a storage pest, the granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.). Chromatographic analysis of P. serotina leaves methanolic extracts identified 10 main phenolic compounds, with ursolic acid, p-coumaric acid o-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid exceeding 10%. LC-MS/MS analysis detected 12 compounds above the limit of quantification (LOQ), with luteolin-7-O-glucoside, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid at the highest concentrations. The antifeedant activity of P. serotina leaves methanolic extract was tested using the wheat wafer method, showing medium antifeedant effects at all extract concentrations (3.5, 5.0, and 12.0 mg/mL). Both males and females fed significantly less extract-treated wafers, with the inhibition of female feeding being stronger at 12.0 mg/ml. The extracts of P. serotina effectively discourage feeding of S. granarius, and the potency increases with concentration. Their flavonoids, phenolic acids, and cyanogenic glycosides suggest a complex mode of action, making them a promising natural alternative to synthetic insecticides. Further research should isolate key active compounds and evaluate their efficacy as botanical pesticides.
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spelling doaj-art-a0a12b5d47a64d2e9fa7d0cc94b2efdb2025-08-20T03:45:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-10326-1Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored productsPaulina Bączek0Jacek Łyczko1Kamila Twardowska2Mariusz Iwanowski3Iwona Gruss4Jacek Twardowski5Department of Plant Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Plant Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Plant Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Plant Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesAbstract Synthetic pesticides pose a risk to the environment and human health by contaminating soil, water, and food chains. Natural plant-based alternatives offer a safer and more sustainable solution by reducing pollution, supporting biodiversity, and minimising pesticide resistance. This study evaluated the antifeedant activity of methanolic leaves extracts from invasive black cherry (Prunus serotina Erhr.) against a storage pest, the granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.). Chromatographic analysis of P. serotina leaves methanolic extracts identified 10 main phenolic compounds, with ursolic acid, p-coumaric acid o-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid exceeding 10%. LC-MS/MS analysis detected 12 compounds above the limit of quantification (LOQ), with luteolin-7-O-glucoside, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid at the highest concentrations. The antifeedant activity of P. serotina leaves methanolic extract was tested using the wheat wafer method, showing medium antifeedant effects at all extract concentrations (3.5, 5.0, and 12.0 mg/mL). Both males and females fed significantly less extract-treated wafers, with the inhibition of female feeding being stronger at 12.0 mg/ml. The extracts of P. serotina effectively discourage feeding of S. granarius, and the potency increases with concentration. Their flavonoids, phenolic acids, and cyanogenic glycosides suggest a complex mode of action, making them a promising natural alternative to synthetic insecticides. Further research should isolate key active compounds and evaluate their efficacy as botanical pesticides.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10326-1Plant-derived insecticideInvasive plant speciesDeterrent feeding activityStorage pest control
spellingShingle Paulina Bączek
Jacek Łyczko
Kamila Twardowska
Mariusz Iwanowski
Iwona Gruss
Jacek Twardowski
Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored products
Scientific Reports
Plant-derived insecticide
Invasive plant species
Deterrent feeding activity
Storage pest control
title Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored products
title_full Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored products
title_fullStr Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored products
title_full_unstemmed Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored products
title_short Antifeedant activity of invasive Prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against Sitophilus granarius, a pest of stored products
title_sort antifeedant activity of invasive prunus serotina leaves methanolic extract against sitophilus granarius a pest of stored products
topic Plant-derived insecticide
Invasive plant species
Deterrent feeding activity
Storage pest control
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10326-1
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