Structure-activity relationship of alkanols as mosquito larvicides with novel findings regarding their mode of action

Hammond, DG; Kubo, I

HERO ID

1180326

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1999

Language

English

PMID

10218818

HERO ID 1180326
In Press No
Year 1999
Title Structure-activity relationship of alkanols as mosquito larvicides with novel findings regarding their mode of action
Authors Hammond, DG; Kubo, I
Journal Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Volume 7
Issue 2
Page Numbers 271-278
Abstract Primary alcohols, from methanol to eicosanol, were applied to water for control of larval stage mosquitoes. By applying the alkanols as soluble solutions rather than as insoluble monolayers, and by trapping larvae under glass in assays that isolated them from the surface phenomena believed to be responsible for death by suffocation, we have shown that the action of alkanols against mosquito larvae is biochemical in nature, not just physical. Primary alcohols are known to act as general anesthetics, with increasing potency correlated to increasing chain length until a point of cutoff is reached, usually at dodecanol (C12), after which activity disappears entirely. In mosquitoes, we found that activity levels off after undecanol (C11) but does not disappear until after pentadecanol (C15), that it is reversible, and that chain length plays a role not only in potency, but also in the time needed to manifest toxic effects. We used sonication, a surfactant, temperature, and the introduction of double bonds to manipulate activity around the cutoff, suggesting that it is at least partially a function of solubility. Mosquitoes appear to be the first animal for which cutoff has been demonstrated to occur at a chain length beyond C12, offering new insights into the molecular basis of anesthetic cutoff and suggesting the possibility that alkanols might be used for selective pest control. Alkanols are stable, colorless, inexpensive, biodegradable and essentially non-toxic to humans, making them promising candidates for pest management programs.
Doi 10.1016/S0968-0896(98)00248-X
Pmid 10218818
Wosid WOS:000079378200007
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science 000079378200007
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword QSAR; natural products; alkanol; anaesthetic cutoff; insecticidal activity
Is Peer Review Yes
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