Insecticidal Effect of Jatropha curcas Oil Phorbol Esters on the Nymph, Adult Cockroaches and Termites

Pests have constituted a real nuisance to man and have been detrimental to humans or human concerns. Jatropha curcas seed oil was extracted with the mechanical press method. The oil phorbol esters were extracted with n-hexane and methanol and tested against the nymph, adult cockroaches and termites at different concentrations. Phorbol esters concentrations at 84, 79, 54, and 34% v/v were tested against the cockroaches. The highest concentration (84%v/v) showed the greatest efficacy, by killing all the cockroaches within the shortest period of time. The phorbol esters concentrations at 80, 50 and 20% v/v were also tested against the termites. The highest concentration (80% v/v) likewise showed greatest efficacy, by killing a higher number of the termites within the shortest period of time. The result showed substantial decrease in mortality with decrease in concentration. There was a huge difference between the treatments and the phorbol esters-free control. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of the Jatropha curcas oil was employed to determine the fatty acid composition of the oil. The fatty acids present in the oil were 5-Octodecenoic acid, 6-Octadecenoic acid, Myristic acid, 4-Octadecenoic acid, Pentadecanoic acid, 9, 12-Hexadecadienoic acid, Palmitoleic acid, Palmitic acid, Arachidic acid, Cyclopentanetridecanoic acid, Oleic acid, Margaric acid, Linoleic acid, 15-Octadecenoic acid, 13-Octadecenoic acid and Stearic acid. The results of this study revealed that Jatropha curcas phorbol esters has insecticidal effects on cockroaches and termites, and therefore, making it a viable candidate for incorporation into insect pest control program.