Bioherbicidal activity of a germacranolide sesquiterpene dilactone from Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Issue 12 (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molinaro, Francesco; Monterumici, Chiara Mozzetti; Ferrero, Aldo; Tabasso, Silvia; Negre, Michèle
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental science and health. Volume 51:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 847
• Page End: 852
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: Allelopathy -- allelochemical -- herbicide -- Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. -- ragweed -- isabelin; Pesticides -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Food contamination -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Ecology -- periodicals; Pesticides -- toxicity -- periodicals; Food Contamination -- periodicals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2016.1208466
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1234

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed) is an invasive plant whose allelopathic properties have been suggested by its field behaviour and demonstrated through phytotoxicity bioassays. However, the nature of the molecules responsible for the allelopathic activity of common ragweed has not been explored. The main objective of this study was to identify the phytotoxic molecules produced by A. artemisiifolia . A preliminary investigation has indicated that a methanol extract of A. artemisiifolia completely inhibited the germination of cress and radish. Semi-preparative fractionation of the methanol extract allowed separating of phytotoxic fraction which contained a single compound. The structure of this compound was elucidated by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS, high-resolution mass spectral, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectra as sesquiterpene lactone isabelin (C15 H16 O4 ). The effect of pure isabelin was tested on four different weed species, confirming the inhibitory activity of molecule. The results indicate directions for the future studies about herbicidal specific activity of isabelin, as pure molecule or in the crude extract, as a potential candidate for biological weed control.