Composition and molluscicidal properties of essential oils from leaves of Xylopia langsdorffiana A. St.Hil. et Tul.(Annonaceae)

The volatile fraction of Xylopia langsdorffiana leaves was analyzed by GC and GUMS and tested for molluscicidal activity. With this methodology 19 different components were identified in the oil. Among them, germacrene D (22.9%), trans-beta-guaiene (22.6%), beta-caryophyllene (15.7%), and alpha-pinene (7.3%) were found to be the major constituents. The oil showed significant molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata, with an LC90 value of 5.6 mu g/mL, which falls below the threshold of 100 mu g/mL, set for potential molluscicidal activity by the -World Health Organization.