Beauveria Bassiana Applied to Broiler Chicken Houses as Biocontrol of Alphitobius Diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), an Avian Pathogens Vector

ABSTRACT Beauveria bassiana is naturally found in broiler chicken houses, and has been shown to be active against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus. The effectiveness of soil application of B. bassiana in emulsifiable oil-type formulation (Unioeste 4 isolate) to control the lesser mealworm in commercial poultry house was evaluated. The fungus was applied to the dirt floor of poultry house at 4.2 × 109 conidia/m2 (treated aviary) and the insect population was assessed before and 96, 146 and 216 days after application (DAA). In the control aviary, no treatment was performed to control those insects. Molecular techniques were used to confirm the presence of the fungus in dead A. diaperinus. Significant treatment effects were observed, with 56% and 73% of insect population reduction on 96 and 146 DAA, respectively. However, on 216 DDA, insect population resumed to values close to those initially observed. In the control aviary, the population grew steadily, reaching almost 110% the initial population on 96 DAA, and close to 200% on 216 DDA. The results demonstrate the potential of the applied control strategy, even with a single application of the fungus; however, reapplications may be required after 3-6 months for more effective control

Chemical compositions, total phenolic contents, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the extract and essential oil ofThymbra spicataL. growing wild in Turkey

YUCEL, Ersin/0000-0001-8274-7578WOS: 000568468700003In the study, chemical composition, total phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activities of the extract and essential oil ofThymbra spicataL. growing wild in Turkey were investigated. Chemical compositions ofT. spicataL. extract and essential oil were determined using the GC-MS method. the main components of the plant extract were carvacrol (88.75%) and acetic acid (11.25%) while the main components of the plant essential oil were carvacrol (56.03%),transcaryophyllene (10.41%),p-cymene (9.61%) and gamma-terpinene (6.87%). the total phenolic contents of extract and essential oil were 1350 and 3440 mu g GAE g(-1), respectively. Antioxidant activities of the samples were tested using DPPH and ABTS(+)radical scavenging activities. the antioxidant capacity of the extract and essential oil (50.51-98.28%) is highly correlated with their phenolic contents. the antimicrobial effects of this plant were tested by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods against seven bacteria. the highest inhibition zone values were observed againstStaphylococcus aureusas 15 +/- 7 mm and 50 +/- 10 mm, for extract and essential oil ofT. spicataL., respectively. According to broth dilution method,Bacillus subtilisandListeria monocytogeneswere found to be the most resistant bacteria to theT. spicataL. essential oil (0.625%). the oil sample showed high bactericidal effect against all test microorganisms (0.313-1.25%). Essential oil of the plant exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than the extract. As a result,T. spicataL. could be used in pharmaceutical and food industries as a natural antioxidant and in antimicrobial products