Phytochemical composition and green insecticides from Citrus aurantifolia fruit peels against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

Abstract Insecticidal potential of extracts of Citrus aurantifolia , family Rutaceae, was evaluated to control whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci . Biocidal activity directed chromatographic separation of chloroform and butanol fractions, with spectral identification (1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, ESIMS) of the active fractions have been resulted in separation and structural elucidation of for previously described coumarins (bergapten 1 , limettin 2 , isopimpinellin 3 , oxypeucedanin hydrate 4 ) in addition to a new dimeric coumarin (12R, 12’R)-aurantifolin 5 , two known limonoids; 21,23-dihydro-23-methoxy-21-oxolimonin 6 , 21,23-dihydro-23-methoxy-21-oxonomilin 7 , and two known flavonoid glycosides; scoparin 8 , and narcissin 9 . Amongst these compounds, narcissin 9 was the most effective after 24 h. of treatment while, (12R, 12’R)-aurantifolin 5 was the most potent against B. tabaci , 3rd instar nymphs after 72 h. of treatment and under laboratory conditions, with LC 50 values of 33.31and 15.92 ppm, respectively comparing with the positive control azadirachtin.