MANAGEMENT OF COCOA MOTH Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) USING A PLANT MATERIAL Zingiber officinales AND ITS TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON ALBINO RAT

Abstract

The tropical warehouse moth, Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) has high infestation on stored cocoa beans and cause product loss. Zingiber officinale,(Zingiberaceae) commonly known as “ginger” claimed to have medicinal values in some culture in Africa countries and also contain a whole host of different chemical constituents that have insecticidal effects. This research work is sought to reveal the insecticidal activity of Z. officinales and its toxicological effect on Albino rats. Insecticidal activity against Ephestia cautella in stored cocoa beans was evaluated in the laboratory using the powder and ethanolic oil extract of Z. officinales. Indices of insecticidal activity were assessed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours in terms of mortality rates, hatchability and emergence. The powder caused 6.67-95% larva mortality and 11.67- 100% adult mortality at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5g concentration of ethanolic oil extract, it also caused 3.33%-95% larva mortality and 3.33-100% adult mortality. Fumigant toxicity indicated larva mortality of 3.33-95% and adult mortality of 3.33-100%. The active ingredients; Caryophyllene, Benzonitrile, m-phenethyl, Phthalic acid, humulene and Methadone N- oxide were present in Z officinale. Albino rats were acclimatized for two weeks. Thereafter, they were randomly divided into three groups of seven animals for acute and sub chronic activity of powder of the rhizome and the ethanolic extract. The extract administration indicated LD50 of 2500. The study revealed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the activity of ALT and AST of feed interaction of Z. officinale administered rats than ethanolic oil extract of Z. officinale administered rats, this implies that the feed contains some antioxidants properties. The activities of ALP decreased with increase in the concentrations (10-2500AT mg/Kg BWT). The treatment showed that the plant extract does not alter the liver and kidney biochemical functions. These active ingredients can also be imported and synergistically applied with the use of carrier to protect dried stored cocoa beans against the moth, Ephestialcautella.