Volatile Oil Composition, Bioactivity and Formulations of Chromolaena odorata

The use of plants for medicinal, pharmacological, and anti-insecticidal purposes has become very important owing to their abundance and safety associated with them, unlike synthetic chemicals. Improved insecticidal activity could also be achieved via formulations with different carriers. This work, therefore, reports the extraction of essential oils, characterization using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, bioactivity, and formulations of essential oils from Chromolaena odorata (CO). The insecticidal activity of the oils against Callosobruchus maculatus was investigated using filter paper and antifeedant methods. The antimicrobial activities of the oils were investigated in relation to some bacterial and fungi pathogens. Thirty-nine (39) components were identified in the volatile oil of CO, with 1,2,4-trivinylcyclohexane (20.18 %), α-pinene (14.17 %), and β-pinene (11.50 %) seen as the major components. The toxicity of the volatile oil against Callosobruchus maculatus revealed that there was a significant increase in the mortality (p > 0.05) of Callosobruchus maculatus after 6 and 24 hours with both methods (filter paper and anti-feedant) as the concentration increases. Formulation of the oil with kaolin has more potential to reduce the volatility of essential oil than with bentonite. The oil from Chromolaena odorata showed inhibitory action against some bacterial and fungal pathogens.