Abstract:
The purpose of this article was to evaluate the application of different plant extracts with
bioinsecticidal action and antioxidant activity for plants and soil protection, by substitution of the
application of synthetically formulated pesticides with eco-friendly compounds. In this framework,
this research focused on the utilization of plant extracts from the spontaneous flora of Moldova
(Romania) as bioinsecticides for the control of field pests of the species Leptinotarsa decemlineata and
their antioxidant activity. Plant extracts of oregano (Origanum vulgare), yarrow (Achillea millefolium),
wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), and cowslip (Primula veris) were assessed for their antioxidant
activity by the microplate spectrophotometric-based method (for polyphenols and flavonoids content
and for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenger activity) and were characterized
by FTIR spectroscopy spectra. To evaluate the bioinsecticidal properties of the plant extracts, the
mortality (%) and neuroleptic manifestations appearing in the middle of the monitoring period
for larvae and adults of the Leptinotarsa decemlineata species were identified. Mortality (%) was
statistically analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the resulting experimental
results were compared with the LSD-Fisher’s test (p < 0.05). The highest mortality (%) was observed
after 24 h of treatment with extracts of Origanum vulgare at 100% concentration, while the maximum
effect was recorded after 48 h for Origanum vulgare at 60% and 100% concentrations.
