Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil from Jamaican <i>Hyptis verticillata</i> Jacq.

Abstract

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Hyptis verticillata Jacq. was elucidated by a combination of GC and GC-MS analyses. The oil was dominated by the sesquiterpenoids cadina-4,10(15)-dien-3-one (15.1%) ( 1 ) and aromadendr-1(10)-en-9-one (squamulosone) (30.7%) ( 2 ). The oil exhibited chemosterilant activities against the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus Canest., and toxic action against adult Cylas formicarius elegantulus Summer, the most destructive pest of sweet potato ( Ipomoea species). Keywords: Hyptis verticillata; Labiatae; essential oil; sesquiterpene; Boophilus microplus; Cylas formicarius elegantulus; GC-MS; GC