Isolation and identification of insect antifeedant compound from ethanol extract of Hemidesmus indicus root

Phytochemicals with insect antifeedant potential can be used as a safer alternative to harmful chemicals that are used as grain protectants. The insect antifeedant effect of the extracts and fractions of Hemidesmus indicus root were tested against the stored grain insect pest Corcyra cephalonica Stainton. Bioactivity-guided study of ethanol extract of Hemidesmus indicus root led to isolation and identification of a triterpenoid, Lupeol with insect antifeedant potential. Although Lupeol showed insect antifeedant potential the ethanol extract was found to be more effective as an antifeedant. This implies that the synergistic action of compounds present in the ethanol extract of H. indicus root is responsible for the higher antifeedant potential.