In vitro anti-tick properties of the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae) on Hyalomma rufipes (Acari: Ixodidae)

Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 2012 Mar 30;79(1):E1-5. doi: 10.4102/ojvr.v79i1.358.

Abstract

In this study we examined the anti-tick properties of the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae: Asterales) against Hyalomma rufipes ticks. We obtained the essential oil of T. minuta by hydro-distillation of a combination of fresh flowers, leaves and soft stems, and analysed these by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-linked mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil had a high percentage of monoterpenes and the major compounds identified were cis-ocimene (28.5%), beta-ocimene (16.83%) and 3-methyl-2-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-furan (11.94%). Hyalomma rufipes adults displayed a significant (P < 0.05) dose repellent response to the essential oil of T. minuta. Probit analysis indicated a repellent EC50 of T. minuta essential oil for male ticks to be 0.072 mL/mL (CI 0.053 mL/mL to 0.086 mL/mL) and 0.070 mL/mL (CI 0.052 mL/mL to 0.084 mL/mL) for female ticks. There were no significant differences in repellent responses between male and female ticks. The oil also significantly (P < 0.05) delayed moulting of 60% of H. rufipes engorged nymphs. These results suggest that T. minuta may be a potential source of anti-tick agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acaricides / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gas / veterinary
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / veterinary
  • Ixodidae / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Nymph
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Sex Factors
  • Tagetes / chemistry*
  • Tick Infestations / prevention & control
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary

Substances

  • Acaricides
  • Oils, Volatile