Pest Shield Granules and Grain Guardian Silica Beads Developed Using Extracts of Decalepis hamiltonii: A Safe Natural Agent for Pest Management
Abstract
Decalepis hamiltonii, an endangered medicinal plant traditionally valued for its pest-resistant roots used in treating various ailments, has faced depletion due to excessive root use. To conserve the plant, this study shifted focus to the leaves, revealing their potential as bio-insecticide for stored food grains, thereby highlighting both conservation and scientific inquiry. The present study evaluates different solvent extracts of Decalepis hamiltonii for pesticidal activity against two pests, Spodoptera litura and Callosobruchus macculatus. GCMS study was carried out to understand the bioactive constituents present in the extract. Additionally, the fractions were screened for cytotoxic activity using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The brine shrimp lethality bioassay indicated the toxicity of the extracts, with methanol showing the lowest LC50 of 32 ppm. Remarkably significant pesticidal activity against Spodoptera litura (LC50 40.30 μg/ml) and Callosobruchus macculatus (LC50 21.2 mg/ml) were observed for methanolic extract of Decalepis hamiltonii. Innovative formulations, such as effervescent granules and drug-loaded silica beads for pesticidal purposes, yielded promising results. This study provides valuable insights into Decalepis hamiltonii, highlighting its potential as a natural pesticide due to the presence of many important compounds especially, Benzyl Benzoate, Docosane and Octadecane (identified by GCMS), and serving as a crucial reference for future research on its medicinal applications.
Keywords:
Decalepis Hamiltonii, Effervescent Granules, GCMS, Natural Pesticide, Pest Control
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References
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Rajashekar, Y., Devaraja, A., Thirumalesh, B.V., & Vivek Babu, C.S. (2025). Botanical insecticides for stored grain protection: Emerging challenges and future prospects. Food sciences, 71, 107337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107337
Saad, H., Elfeky, S.A., El-Gamel, N.E.A., & Abo Dena, A.S. (2025). Organophosphate pesticides: a review on classification, synthesis, toxicity, remediation and analysis. RSC Advances, 15(48), 40802-40822. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra05552k
Sabarwal, A., Kumar, K., & Singh, R.P. (2018). Hazardous effects of chemical pesticides on human health – Cancer and other associated disorders. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 1(3), 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2018.08.018
Sharanappa, C.H., Bheemanna, M., Prabhuraj, A., Naik, H.R., Rao, S.N., Moussa. I.M., Alsubki, R.A., Ullah, F., & Elansary, H.O.B.K. (2024). Investigation on the insecticidal activities of cyanobacterial extracts as an alternative source for the management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Heliyon, 10(7), e29060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29060
Shekhar, C., Khosya, R., Thakur, K., Mahajan, D., Kumar, R., Kumar, S., & Sharma, A.K. (2024). A systematic review of pesticide exposure, associated risks, and long term human health impacts. Toxicology reports, 13, 101840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101840
Shrestha, S., Amgain, L.P., Pandey, P., Bhandari, T., & Khatiwada, S. (2024). Adoption status of integrated pest management (IPM) practices among vegetable growers of Lamjung district of Nepal. Heliyon, 10(18), e37999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37999
Singh, S., Gaurav., Jyothi,. & Gupta, J.P. (2025). Organic Farming in Uttarakhand: Trends and Prospects. International Journal of Applied Social Science, 12(7&8), 614-624. Available at https://scientificresearchjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/social-science-vol-12-614-624.pdf
Souto, A.L., Sylvestre, M., Tölke, E.D., Tavares, J.F., Barbosa-Filho, J.M., & Cebrián-Torrejón, G. (2021). Plant-Derived Pesticides as an Alternative to Pest Management and Sustainable Agricultural Production: Prospects, Applications and Challenges. Molecules, 26(16), 4835. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164835
Sun, H., Wang, X., Wang, J., Shi, G., & Chen, L. (2019). Influence of the formula on the properties of a fast dispersible fruit tablet made from mango, Chlorella, and cactus powder. Food Sci Nutr., 8(1), 479-488. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1330
Waghulde, S., Kale, M. K., & Patil, V. (2019). Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay of the Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of the Selected Species of Medicinal Plants. Proceedings, 41(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecsoc-23-06703
Zhang, Z., Yang, N., Yu, J., Jin, S., Shen, G., Chen, H., Yuzhen, N., Xiang, D., & Qian, K. (2023). Research Progress of a Pesticide Polymer-Controlled Release System Based on Polysaccharides. Polymers, 15(13), 2810. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15132810
Abubakar, A.R., & Haque, M. (2020). Preparation of medicinal plants: Basic extraction and fractionation procedures for experimental purposes. Journal of Pharmacy and Bio allied Sciences, 12(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_175_19
Abubakar, Y., Tijjani, H., Egbuna, C., Adetunji, C.O., Kala, S., Kryeziu, T.L., Ifemeje, J.C., & Patrick-Iwuanyanwu, K.C. (2020). Pesticides, history, and classification. Natural Remedies for Pest. Disease and Weed Control, 1, 29-42. Academic Press https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819304-4.00003-8
Agrafioti, P., Vrontaki, M., Rigopoulou, M., Lampiri, E., Grigoriadou, K., Ioannidis, P. M., Rumbos, C. I., & Athanassiou, C. G. (2023). Insecticidal Effect of Diatomaceous Earth Formulations for the Control of a Wide Range of Stored-Product Beetle Species. Insects, 14(7), 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14070656
Arunagiri, V., & Sundararajan, G. (2024). Antifeedant activity of selected botanicals against the larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology, 45(16), 396-402. https://doi.org/10.56557/upjoz/2024/v45i164321
Ashalatha, K.S., Raveesha, H.R., Sushma, B.K., & Anusha, A. (2019). Studies on phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activities of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. J. Mycopathol. Res., 57(3), 141-147. Available at https://www.imskolkata.org/article1/004-10-19.pdf
Bhoye, S.B., & Makode, P.M. (2024). Comprehensive life cycle and larval morphometrics of Parasa lepida (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae): A serious pest of Terminalia bellirica. International j of Entomology Research, 9(8), 127-131. ISSN: 2455-4758
Dimetry, N.Z., El-Gengaihi, S., Hafez, M., & Abbass, M.H. (2015). Pesticidal activity of certain plant extracts and their isolates against the cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). Herba Pol, 61(3), 77-92. https://doi.org/10.1515/hepo-2015-0024
Gitanjali, J., Dinesh Ram, D.S., Kavitha, R., Amalan, V., Alahmadi, T.A., Alharbi, S.A., Kandasamy, S., Shanmuganthan, R., & Vijayakumar, N. (2023). Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antithrombotic, competency of saponins from the root of Decalepis hamiltonii. Environmental Research, 231(1), 116096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116096
Huynh, D.T.M., Hai, H.T., Hau, N.M., Lan, H.K., Vinh, T.P., Tran, V., & Pham, D.T. (2023). Preparations and characterizations of effervescent granules containing azithromycin solid dispersion for children and elder: Solubility enhancement, taste-masking, and digestive acidic protection. Heliyon, 9(6), e16592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16592
Mahlangu, L., & Sibisi, P. (2026). Current advances and prospects in integrated pest management of Phthorimaea absoluta. Discov Agric 4, 29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-026-00501-x
Melanie, M., Miranti, M., Kasmara, H., Malini, D. M., Husodo, T., Panatarani, C., Joni, I. M., & Hermawan, W. (2022). Nanotechnology-Based Bioactive Antifeedant for Plant Protection. Nanomaterials, 12(4), 630. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12040630
Muñoz-Bautista, J. M., Bernal-Mercado, A. T., Martínez-Cruz, O., Burgos-Hernández, A., López-Zavala, A. A., Ruiz-Cruz, S., Ornelas-Paz, J. d. J., Borboa-Flores, J., Ramos-Enríquez, J. R., & Del-Toro-Sánchez, C. L. (2025). Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Nanotechnology as an Alternative in Agriculture. Agronomy, 15(8), 1878. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081878
Mustapha, T., Misni, N., Ithnin, N. R., Daskum, A. M., & Unyah, N. Z. (2022). A Review on Plants and Microorganisms Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles, Role of Plants Metabolites and Applications. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2), 674. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020674
Rajashekar, Y., Devaraja, A., Thirumalesh, B.V., & Vivek Babu, C.S. (2025). Botanical insecticides for stored grain protection: Emerging challenges and future prospects. Food sciences, 71, 107337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107337
Saad, H., Elfeky, S.A., El-Gamel, N.E.A., & Abo Dena, A.S. (2025). Organophosphate pesticides: a review on classification, synthesis, toxicity, remediation and analysis. RSC Advances, 15(48), 40802-40822. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra05552k
Sabarwal, A., Kumar, K., & Singh, R.P. (2018). Hazardous effects of chemical pesticides on human health – Cancer and other associated disorders. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 1(3), 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2018.08.018
Sharanappa, C.H., Bheemanna, M., Prabhuraj, A., Naik, H.R., Rao, S.N., Moussa. I.M., Alsubki, R.A., Ullah, F., & Elansary, H.O.B.K. (2024). Investigation on the insecticidal activities of cyanobacterial extracts as an alternative source for the management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Heliyon, 10(7), e29060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29060
Shekhar, C., Khosya, R., Thakur, K., Mahajan, D., Kumar, R., Kumar, S., & Sharma, A.K. (2024). A systematic review of pesticide exposure, associated risks, and long term human health impacts. Toxicology reports, 13, 101840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101840
Shrestha, S., Amgain, L.P., Pandey, P., Bhandari, T., & Khatiwada, S. (2024). Adoption status of integrated pest management (IPM) practices among vegetable growers of Lamjung district of Nepal. Heliyon, 10(18), e37999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37999
Singh, S., Gaurav., Jyothi,. & Gupta, J.P. (2025). Organic Farming in Uttarakhand: Trends and Prospects. International Journal of Applied Social Science, 12(7&8), 614-624. Available at https://scientificresearchjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/social-science-vol-12-614-624.pdf
Souto, A.L., Sylvestre, M., Tölke, E.D., Tavares, J.F., Barbosa-Filho, J.M., & Cebrián-Torrejón, G. (2021). Plant-Derived Pesticides as an Alternative to Pest Management and Sustainable Agricultural Production: Prospects, Applications and Challenges. Molecules, 26(16), 4835. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164835
Sun, H., Wang, X., Wang, J., Shi, G., & Chen, L. (2019). Influence of the formula on the properties of a fast dispersible fruit tablet made from mango, Chlorella, and cactus powder. Food Sci Nutr., 8(1), 479-488. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1330
Waghulde, S., Kale, M. K., & Patil, V. (2019). Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay of the Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of the Selected Species of Medicinal Plants. Proceedings, 41(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecsoc-23-06703
Zhang, Z., Yang, N., Yu, J., Jin, S., Shen, G., Chen, H., Yuzhen, N., Xiang, D., & Qian, K. (2023). Research Progress of a Pesticide Polymer-Controlled Release System Based on Polysaccharides. Polymers, 15(13), 2810. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15132810
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Das, K., Srinivasashetty, R., Chandrashekar, T. and Bist, S. (2026) “Pest Shield Granules and Grain Guardian Silica Beads Developed Using Extracts of Decalepis hamiltonii: A Safe Natural Agent for Pest Management”, International Journal of Advancement in Life Sciences Research, 9(2), pp. 78-83. doi: https://doi.org/10.31632/ijalsr.2026.v09i02.007.
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