<b>Volatile chemical composition and bioactivities from Colombian <i>Kyllinga pumila</i> Michx (Cyperaceae) essential oil

Abstract

The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Kyllinga pumila (Michx) was obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-eight volatile compounds were identified, major constituents of the oil were Methyl E,E-10,11-epoxyfarnesoate (43.8%), β-elemene (12.5%), Z-caryophyllene (11.3%), germacrene D (7.1%) and E-caryophyllene (5.6%). Repellent and fumigant activities of the oil against Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), were done using the area preference method. Additionally, we studied their antioxidant and phytotoxic effects. Essential oils exhibited a dose-dependent repellent activity, with values 90% at the applied concentration (0.01%), for both two and four hour’s exposure. Essential oil from K. pumila showed 92% mortality at 500 µL L^-1 air against T. castaneum on 24 hours of exposure. The value LC₅₀ was 153.4 µL L^-1.  With moderate selective phytotoxic effects on L. perenne root growth (±70% inhibition). Kyllinga pumila shows high antioxidant potential (91.5%), an effect that is comparable with ascorbic acid (92.9%) used as a standard. The results indicated that K. pumila essential oil could be a promising alternative to new natural antioxidants, repellents, and biocides.