Pesticidal Activity of Wild Mushroom Boletus satanas Lenz Extracts against Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Stored Maize Grains

Nelson E. Masota; Joseph Sempombe; Matobola Mihale; Leonia Henry; Veronica Mugoyela; Fortunatus Sung'hwa

Nelson E. Masota Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Joseph Sempombe Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Matobola Mihale 2Department of Physical Sciences, Open University of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Leonia Henry Department of Science and Laboratory Technology, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Veronica Mugoyela Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Fortunatus Sung'hwa Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Keywords: Pesticidal activity, Boletus satanas, maize grains, Sitophilus zeamais, grain damage, Tanzania

Abstract

Boletus satanas Lenz (Boletaceae) is a basidiomycete fungus reported to contain monomeric glycoproteins (lectins) which are known to possess insecticidal, larvicidal, ovicidal and anti-nutritional activities. This study was carried out to assess the toxicity, anti-feedant and repellence potential of the crude methanol extract of the mushroom in stored maize grains. Six levels of concentration ranging from 0.05 to 0.5% w/w were used during the assessments. Untreated grains and grains treated with 2% Actellic gold ^TM dust (0.05% w/w) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design with three replicates made for each treatment level and controls. The 0.5% w/w methanol extract exhibited the highest mean mortality of 68.3% and 94.2% inhibition in F1 progeny. Moreover, 89.7% reduction in grain damage and 98.3% pest repellence were observed. These findings render credence to the use of B. satanas as a potential biopesticide by subsistence farmers to preserve grains and corroborate the ongoing IPM strategies.