Food Protective Effect of Acaricidal Components Isolated from Anise Seeds against the Stored Food Mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank)

Abstract

The acaricidal activity of anise seed–isolated anisaldehyde and commercially available components of anise seed was examined against Tyrophagus putrescentiae adults and compared with those of synthetic acaricides, benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate, and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). On the basis of LD50 (50% lethal dose) values, the compound most toxic to T. putrescentiae adults was anisaldehyde (LD50, 0.96 μg/cm2), followed by benzyl benzoate (LD50, 11.3 μg/cm2), anethole (LD50, 12.3 μg/cm2), dibutyl phthalate (LD50, 13.3 μg/cm2), DEET (LD50, 13.5 μg/cm2), estragole (LD50, 17.4 μg/cm2), and myrcene (LD50, 56.2 μg/cm2). Anisaldehyde was about 11.8 and 14 times more toxic than benzyl benzoate and DEET against T. putrescentiae adults, respectively. The results suggested that anisaldehyde, anethole, estragole, and myrcene derived from anise seeds are useful as a lead compound to development new agents for selective control of the stored food mite.