Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants

The present study was carried out to analyse the inorganic and organic contents in the leaf of Datura metel and to investigate the acute toxicity at varying concentrations on grasshoppers and red ants. We determined the calcium, magnesium and phosphorous in the ionic state quantitatively and carried...

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Main Authors: Navaratnarajah Kuganathan, Sashikesh Ganeshalingam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:E-Journal of Chemistry
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/714538
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author Navaratnarajah Kuganathan
Sashikesh Ganeshalingam
author_facet Navaratnarajah Kuganathan
Sashikesh Ganeshalingam
author_sort Navaratnarajah Kuganathan
collection DOAJ
description The present study was carried out to analyse the inorganic and organic contents in the leaf of Datura metel and to investigate the acute toxicity at varying concentrations on grasshoppers and red ants. We determined the calcium, magnesium and phosphorous in the ionic state quantitatively and carried out screening tests and solvent extraction using chloroform to find out the presence of organic groups such as alkaloids, flavanoids, saponins and steroids. The concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+ and PO43- were found to be (4.28 ± 0.05)×104, (3.86 ± 0.009) ×104, (2.33 ± 0.007)×104 and (4.65 ± 0.06)×104 ppm respectively. The screening tests confirmed the presence of alkaloids and steroids and the absence of saponins and flavanoids. Increasing concentrations of the plant extracts (2500-15000 ppm) were added to grasshoppers (n = 10) and red ants (n = 10) in an experimental chamber. After 10 minutes of exposure, the numbers of live insects were counted. The results showed the EC50 value was 12000 ppm for grasshoppers and 11600 ppm for red ants. Percentage mortality increased from 20-60% with increasing concentrations. Our results indicated that extract of Datura metelleaves at higher concentrations was more toxic and it can be used as an insecticide against grasshoppers and red ants.
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spelling doaj-art-5761ddd5605b4ad48b5561d394a23e6a2025-02-03T06:14:18ZengWileyE-Journal of Chemistry0973-49452090-98102011-01-018110711210.1155/2011/714538Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red AntsNavaratnarajah Kuganathan0Sashikesh Ganeshalingam1Department of Chemistry, University of Jaffna, Thirunelvely, Jaffna, Sri LankaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Jaffna, Thirunelvely, Jaffna, Sri LankaThe present study was carried out to analyse the inorganic and organic contents in the leaf of Datura metel and to investigate the acute toxicity at varying concentrations on grasshoppers and red ants. We determined the calcium, magnesium and phosphorous in the ionic state quantitatively and carried out screening tests and solvent extraction using chloroform to find out the presence of organic groups such as alkaloids, flavanoids, saponins and steroids. The concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+ and PO43- were found to be (4.28 ± 0.05)×104, (3.86 ± 0.009) ×104, (2.33 ± 0.007)×104 and (4.65 ± 0.06)×104 ppm respectively. The screening tests confirmed the presence of alkaloids and steroids and the absence of saponins and flavanoids. Increasing concentrations of the plant extracts (2500-15000 ppm) were added to grasshoppers (n = 10) and red ants (n = 10) in an experimental chamber. After 10 minutes of exposure, the numbers of live insects were counted. The results showed the EC50 value was 12000 ppm for grasshoppers and 11600 ppm for red ants. Percentage mortality increased from 20-60% with increasing concentrations. Our results indicated that extract of Datura metelleaves at higher concentrations was more toxic and it can be used as an insecticide against grasshoppers and red ants.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/714538
spellingShingle Navaratnarajah Kuganathan
Sashikesh Ganeshalingam
Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants
E-Journal of Chemistry
title Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants
title_full Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants
title_fullStr Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants
title_full_unstemmed Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants
title_short Chemical Analysis of Datura Metel Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants
title_sort chemical analysis of datura metel leaves and investigation of the acute toxicity on grasshoppers and red ants
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/714538
work_keys_str_mv AT navaratnarajahkuganathan chemicalanalysisofdaturametelleavesandinvestigationoftheacutetoxicityongrasshoppersandredants
AT sashikeshganeshalingam chemicalanalysisofdaturametelleavesandinvestigationoftheacutetoxicityongrasshoppersandredants