Oregano Oil As Pesticide Against Beetles

Filed in archive Food and Agriculture on May 26, 2008

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A new study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture indicates that oregano oil is as effective as synthetic pesticides in controlling the presence of the common beetle, Rhizoppertha Dominica, in stored cereals.

It appears to work by inhibiting egg laying and larval development but this is the first time it has been looked at as a viable alternative for synthetic insecticides.

Dr Chahrazed Boutekedjiret and her team from the National Polytechnic in Algeria identified 18 components in oregano oil that combat pests and found that the greater the concentration of the oil used, the more effective it was.

She says: "It is feasible that, in the near future, these natural insecticides will replace synthetic insecticides and add considerably to more environmentally friendly insecticides on a large scale."

As a natural product, oregano oil poses less of an environmental hazard in comparison to synthetic pesticides. However, its efficacy and safety in large scale use still need to be tested.

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