Chemical Constituent and Insecticidal Activity of Essential Oil from Dried Unripe Citrus Reticulata
Student: Oluwadamilola Temitope Saka (Project, 2025)
Department of Chemistry
University of Ilorin, Kwara State
Abstract
Pulverized dried peels of Citrus reticulata (500g) were subjected to hydrodistillation for
four hours using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The resulting essential oil was analyzed
using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and its insecticidal properties
were evaluated through a contact toxicity bioassay against adult bean weevils
(Callosobruchus maculatus). The distillation process yielded 1.272% (w/w) of essential
oil. GC-MS analysis revealed that monoterpenoids constituted the major portion of the
oil, making up 99.6% of its composition. The dominant compounds identified D-
limonene (93.3%) and sabinene (2.1%). The oil demonstrated significant insecticidal
activity, causing mortality in the exposed insects. These findings suggest that the oil may
serve as a potential natural alternative to synthetic insecticides for controlling storage
pests.
Keywords
For the full publication, please contact the author directly at: damiayo64@gmail.com
Filters
Institutions
- University of Ilorin, Kwara State 398
- University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State 19
- University of Lagos 18
- University of Maiduguri ( - Elearning), Maiduguri, Borno State 3
- University of Maiduguri, Borno State 109
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 268
- University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt , River State 5
- University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State 173
- University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State 206
- Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Sokoto State 245