Utilization of Pomelo (Citrus maxima) Peel Waste into Bioactive Essential Oils: Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Properties

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The disposal of agricultural waste products is an emerging concern and an alternative to this is the development of value-added products from these wastes. Here we extracted the essential oil from Citrus maxima (CMEO) and examined its larvicidal and pest control potentials. Results pointed out that CMEO can be effective biopesticides against two major insect pests of stored grains. Furthermore, CMEO had a significant larvicidal action against different mosquito species. This study provided useful information on the compositional aspects and insecticidal properties of CMEO. ABSTRACT: The wastes generated during the post-harvest handling of various agricultural commodities is rather under-utlilized. The peels of citrus fruits are often discarded as waste. Citrus peels are rich in essential oils and exhibit toxicity towards various insect species. The essential oils are also an eco-friendly option for insect pest management. The Citrus maxima peel essential oil (CMEO), a waste product, characterized it, and evaluated its potential for insect pest management. The major terpenoids present in CMEO are Limonene and α-Pinene. The CMEO displayed potentials in controlling the insect pests via contact and fumigant toxicity. Moreover, CMEO showed significant larvicidal activities against Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Aedes aegypti species of mosquitoes; however, Armigeres subalbatus was more resistant. The biological safety of the essential oil was also tested against the stored seeds, where no significant inhibition of seed germination was noticed compared to the control. Utilizing a waste product such as citrus peel for pest management can achieve the dual objective of waste utilization and eco-friendly pest management. Overall, the CMEO is therefore found to be a bioactive essential oil extracted from the wastes of pomelo (C. maxima).