Isoprene derivatives as natural pesticides for better yields and lesser harms: a greener way

to sustainability.
Kamal Kishore
Department of chemistry, JC DAV College Dasuya. 144205
Credibility of a planet like earth with constantly increasing population for standing in times to come depends upon
how animals are fed and brought up. Animals and plants act as food for humans in different parts of world. Ultimate
food is plants which can be grown in better yields with the help of factors controlling the loss of yield. Insects and
Pests are the best competitors for the resources used by food crops. Many of the essential oils which are derivatives
of isoprene (commonly called terpenes and terpenoids) are found to be effective against pests including insects and
plant pathogenic fungi ranging from insecticidal, antifeedant, repellent, oviposition deterrent, growth regulatory and
antivector activities. Recent investigations indicate that some chemical constituents of these oils interfere with the
octopaminergic nervous system in insects which is absent in mammals. Thus, the killers for pests are relatively nontoxic to mammals and fish in toxicological tests, and meet the criteria for safer and least hazardous natural
pesticides. Flavoring agents in foods and beverages are the best applications of isoprene and its derivatives which
are known since ages and this makes them suitable for any application involving humans. Human body acceptance
makes them most suitable for experimentation with any regulation or registration or approval. These isoprene
derivative pesticides are effective in home, garden and agricultural situations, particularly for organic food
production. The other feature which is available to us for using these as pesticides is mix and match for suitability
and anti-resistance which can be developed by the pests upon continuous usage. A huge variety of such pesticides
can be obtained owing to permutation and combinations allowed on the basis of components and their
concentrations in the mixture. Pure, binary, ternary, quaternary and poly-component mixtures can be used and opens
the scope for many more for the future researchers. Endemic plant biodiversity is common in developing nations
which also make these pesticides effective to the fullest in future integrated pest management (IPM) programmes.
Some plants viz. Acorus calamus, Bunium persicum, Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum zeylanicum,
Cymbopogon citratus, Lavandula angustifolia syn. L. officinalis, Tanacetum vulgare, Rabdosia melissoides,
Ocimum spp., Gaultheria procumbens, Cuminum cymium, Trachyspermum ammi, Foeniculum vulgare,
Abelmoschus moschatus, Cedrus spp. and Piper species are known for producing essential oils which show varied
pest control properties.
KEY WORDS : Essential oils, green pesticides, monoterpenes, phytochemicals, antifeedants, repellents, fumigants,
commercialization