Under the fly: scientists have found a safe insect repellent for humans

Russian scientists have discovered an unexpected property of the well-known medicinal herb letter. It turned out that its extract can effectively destroy flies and other diptera insects, while not having a negative effect on humans. These types of pests can be dangerous, for example, for tomatoes or ornamental plants, so the substance is well suited for their protection in urban parks where there are many visitors. According to experts, the extract has good potential for practical use, but there is a significant way to go from the first laboratory studies to the creation of a full-fledged drug.

Plant against insects

Specialists from Ural Federal University have discovered previously unknown properties of the popular medicinal herb letter. It turned out that its extract can serve as an effective remedy against insect pests. Experiments have shown that it can be used to control various diptera, such as flies, which often make life difficult for gardeners. In the course of research, scientists have tested its effect on drosophila, or fruit flies.

Photo: Ural Federal University

— We found out that the fertility of individuals decreases when we grow them on the extract of the medicinal letter. Their embryogenesis is disrupted. We see more fetal mortality in the next generation. Not only does fertility decrease, it also affects life expectancy, leads to DNA damage and other additional effects that can add up to very good practical use as a bioinsecticide," said Olga Antosyuk, associate professor at the Department of Biodiversity and Bioecology at the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Ural Federal University.

At the same time, the substance is safe for most other living creatures, does not accumulate in the soil after spraying and does not affect the crop, therefore it is well suited for use in agriculture. The letter is actively used in traditional medicine, it is considered a plant with great medicinal potential, has a restorative and immunostimulating effect. Long-term use in these areas indicates its harmlessness to humans. However, it is not officially included in the list of medicinal crops. For this reason, developers will need to confirm these properties.

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Application in parks

According to scientists, agriculture usually uses a complex of various bioinsecticides to affect different types of pests, so the letter can be included in this "cocktail" as one of the components. Insects susceptible to the extract harm a variety of plant species. Often their victims are vegetable and fruit crops, they eat them at the larval stage, or ornamental plants that are used for landscape purposes. They lose their appearance due to such an impact. Due to its safety, letterhead extract can be used to protect them in urban parks where there are many visitors.

Photo: Ural Federal University

— It would protect them and preserve their aesthetic appearance. Many designers are probably interested in being such an option, because you can't use strong chemicals in parks, and our extract would be a good "green" alternative," said Olga Antosyuk.

At the next stage of the research, the scientists plan to study the extract in more detail in order to understand which substances are responsible for its properties. To create a drug and put it into practice, it is necessary to conduct a number of experiments on efficacy and safety. This job will take one to three years. At the same time, it will be easy to manufacture.

According to the leading expert of the FoodNet market Alexey Cook's NTI, based only on research, it is too early to talk about the prospects of developing a bioinsecticide. Everything will depend on the technology itself and the economy.

Photo: Ural Federal University

— Now bioinsecticides are used, but not on a large scale. Their use is complicated by nature itself. They are more difficult to store and apply, they cannot be mixed with other chemical preparations, they require special equipment and application technologies. They do not match well with the agricultural technologies used. And the economic aspect often suffers, so they have not become widespread," the expert said.

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To objectively assess the effectiveness of the extract for insect control, field trials should be conducted, said Vladimir Pinaev, associate professor at the Patrice Lumumba Institute of Ecology at the Rudn University.

— According to the results of laboratory experiments, it can be noted that B. officinalis extract has a suppressive effect on the DNA of fruit flies, which in turn manifests itself in an increase in embryonic mortality in the early stages of development in offspring. It is not yet clear how the presented extract can affect other insect species. In principle, the use of any natural substances is promising for insect control, as it should not have additional effects on environmental components," said the ecologist.

Photo: Ural Federal University

Judging by the results of the study, it is premature to talk about industrial applications or a breakthrough, says Tatyana Ledashcheva, associate professor at the Department of Environmental Safety and Product Quality Management at the Patrice Lumumba Institute of Ecology at the RUDN University. However, research into insect population control is useful. Especially with the use of plant extracts, which should not harm the environment when used in natural conditions. The presented extract, if it reaches industrial use, will help control the population of diptera. However, it is important to remember that insects are part of the food chain and their thoughtless destruction can also lead to problems, the specialist emphasized.