Assessment of toxicity and biochemical response of Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium confusum exposed to Carum carvi essential oil

This study was undertaken in order to investigate the biological activity of chemically characterized Carum carvi essential oil (EO) and its effect on oxidative stress parameters in stored product pests. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry depicted carvone (68.22 +/- 0.62%) and limonene (21.80 +/- 0.54%) as the major compounds of said EO. Different concentrations of EO were tested for fumigant activity and showed prominent results following a time-response relationship in both tested species. The changes in the antioxidative defense system, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, as well as the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated in time-dependent response. The results demonstrated that C. carvi could have a significant role in the future, as an environmentally friendly alternative for the management of stored product pests.