Insecticidal Potential of Juniperus phoenicea Essential Oil against Callosobruchus maculatus: Chemical Composition, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Analysis

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Published: Apr 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v9i4.18
Keywords:
Juniperus phoenicea, Callosobruchus maculatus, Essential oil, Insecticidal, In vitro, In silico

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Samara Y. Khalil
Laboratoire de Ressources Naturelles et Développement Durable, Faculté des sciences, Université Ibn tofail Kenitra, Morocco
El Abdali Youness
Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Agrifood and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez 30050, Morocco
Beniaich Ghada
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Engineering, Electrochemistry, Modeling and Environment (LIEME), Faculty of Sciences Dhar EL Mahraz, USMBA, Fez, Morocco
Mohamed Chebaibi
The Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques (ISPITS), Fez, Morocco
Taibi Mohamed
Laboratoire d’Amélioration des Productions Agricoles, Biotechnologie et Environnement (LAPABE), Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed Premier, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Amine Elbouzidi
Laboratoire d’Amélioration des Productions Agricoles, Biotechnologie et Environnement (LAPABE), Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed Premier, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Flouchi Rachid
Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules Laboratory, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Aimad Allali
Laboratory of Plant, Animal and Agro-industry Productions, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco
Aouane El mahjoub
Laboratoire de Ressources Naturelles et Développement Durable, Faculté des sciences, Université Ibn tofail Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract

Currently, biopesticides derived from essential oils (EOs) are gaining attention as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and insecticidal properties of Juniperus phoenicea EO. Essential oil was obtained from Juniperus phoenicea leaves by hydrodidtillation. The chemical constituents of the EO was identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis The insecticidal activity of the EO was evaluated by contact and inhalation tests against the chickpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus. The potential mechanisms of the insecticidal activity of the EO was elucidated by in silico molecular docking study. Juniperus phoenicea EO was obtained at a yield of 1.10%. GC-MS analysis identified 30 compounds, with α-pinene (43.61%) and manoyl oxide (11.50%) as the major components. In vivo tests on Callosobruchus maculatus showed significant insecticidal effects of the EO, with lethal doses (LC50) of 24.11 μL/L and 26.79 μL/L for inhalation and contact exposure, respectively, after 96 hours. The EO also reduced oviposition and adult emergence by 23.65% and 27.16%, respectively at 20 μL/L. In silico molecular docking identified caryophyllene oxide as the most active compound against acetylcholinesterase (PDB: 6ARY) with a glide score of -7.209 kcal/mol. Myrtenal showed the highest efficacy against juvenile hormone (PDB: 5V13) with a glide score of -7.116 kcal/mol, while rosifoliol demonstrated notable activity against chitin synthase 2 (PDB: 7STM) with a glide score of -5.848 kcal/mol.
These findings highlight the potential of J. phoenicea EO as a sustainable, natural bioinsecticide to control C. maculatus, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides.

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How to Cite
Khalil, S. Y., Youness, E. A., Ghada, B., Chebaibi, M., Mohamed, T., Elbouzidi , A., Rachid, F., Allali , A., & El mahjoub, A. (2025). Insecticidal Potential of Juniperus phoenicea Essential Oil against Callosobruchus maculatus: Chemical Composition, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Analysis. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research (TJNPR), 9(4), 1496 – 1505. https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v9i4.18
Issue
Vol. 9 No. 4 (2025): Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research (TJNPR)
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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Flouchi Rachid, Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules Laboratory, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

Ministry of Health and Social Protection, High Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques annex Taza, Fez, Morocco

Aimad Allali , Laboratory of Plant, Animal and Agro-industry Productions, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco

Ministry of Health and Social Protection, High Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques annex Taza, Fez, Morocco

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