Differential Deterrent Activity of Natural Products Isolated from <i>Allophylus edulis</i> (Sapindaceae)

The phytochemical study of Uruguayan specimens of Allophylus edulis (Sapindaceae) yielded the isolation of various natural products being some of them reported for the first time in this species. Although most of them are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom, some revealed in this study to have anti insect properties. Two sesquiterpenes (6,7-Epoxicaryophyllene and spathulenol), two phytosterols (sitosterone and sitosterol), a pentacyclic triterpene (lupeol) and a clerodane diterpene were isolated. 6,7-Epoxycaryophyllene, lupeol and sitosterol showed to be deterrent against the aphid Myzus persicae and the coleopteran Epilachna paenulata. Moreover, the crude ethanolic extract of twigs of A. edulis showed to be deterrent against both insect species being some of its fractions also active against another aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi. Various active compounds against different insect models have been isolated from the twigs extract of A. edulis. The results evidenced synergic as well as antagonistic effects in the mixture, summed to differential activity against the insects, a desirable attribute when developing botanical pesticides.