Abstract:
This study investigates the insecticidal potential of phenolic extracts from Hammada
scoparia, a desert plant adapted to extreme conditions, collected from two arid regions of Algeria:
Ouled Djellal and Ghardaïa. Such harsh environments promote the synthesis of secondary
metabolites, especially phenolic compounds known for their diverse biological activities.
A phytochemical screening was conducted to detect the main families of secondary
metabolites. Extracts were obtained using various methods: aqueous maceration, hydroalcoholic
extraction, infusion, and decoction, followed by quantification of total polyphenol content.
Extracts prepared from the aerial parts of the plant via aqueous and hydro methanolic maceration
showed a high antioxidant content, particularly rich in flavonoids and gallic acid.
The results showed that the Hammada scoparia species has a total polyphenol content,
reaching 99.33 mg EAG/g MVS for sample 01 from Ouled Djellal and 85.87 mg EAG/g MVS for
sample 02 from Ghardaia, for the aqueous extract and a higher content for the hydro methanolic
extract: 496.89 mg EAG/g MVS for sample 01 from Ouled Djellal and 626.24 mg EAG/g MVS
for sample 02 from Ghardaia
The biological activity of the extracts was evaluated against Tribolium castaneum, a beetles
of stored food products. Initial toxicity tests, performed via direct contact and spraying on adult
insects, resulted in low mortality rates. However, larval bioassays, using contact application,
showed significant mortality, dependent on dose and exposure time.
These findings highlight the insecticidal potential of Hammada scoparia extracts, particularly
against larvae, and suggest the plant as a promising alternative in biological pest control strategies,
potentially reducing the harmful effects of synthetic insecticides on human health and the
environment.
