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Metabolism of thymol and trans-Anethole in Larvae of Spodoptera litura and Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

TitleMetabolism of thymol and trans-Anethole in Larvae of Spodoptera litura and Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsPassreiter, CM, Wilson, J, Andersen, RJ, Isman, MB
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume52
Pagination2549-2551
Date PublishedMay
Type of ArticleArticle
ISBN Number0021-8561
Keywordsbiotransformation, CUTWORM, INSECTS, METABOLISM, Spodoptera litura, synergistic effects, thymol, trans-anethole, Trichoplusia ni
Abstract

Metabolism of the monoterpenoid thymol and the phenylpropanoid trans-anethole, both constituents of essential oils, was investigated following topical and oral administration of the compounds to the tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) and the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni). In both species and irrespective of route, administration of thymol resulted in the excretion of its 3-O-beta-glucoside, whereas trans-anethole was hydroxylated on the side chain methyl group. Both metabolites were isolated and their structures elucidated by interpretation of their mass and NMR spectra. Previous experiments indicated that trans-anethole synergized the toxicity of thymol in S. litura, but analyses of feces indicated that metabolism of thymol was not significantly suppressed when the two compounds were orally coadministered to T. ni larvae.

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