Toxicity of Phenylpropanoids from Alpinia galanga (Zingiberaceae) extracts against Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera exigua Hubner is one of the most important agricultural pests in Thailand. The present study investigated the toxicity of crude extracts and phenylpropanoid compounds of A. galanga (Zingiberaceae) against S. exigua. After 24 h of a topical application bioassay on secondary instar larvae, the ethyl acetate extract estimation of the LD50 of A. galanga (Zingiberaceae) showed toxicity toward secondary instar S. exigua larvae (LD50 ~ 2.44 µg/larva). Phenylpropanoid compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate A. galanga crude extract which has [1’S]-1’-acetoxychavicol acetate as highest toxicity (LD50 of 1.93 µg/larvae). [1’S]-1’-acetoxychavicol acetate also showed carboxylesterase activity inhibition. Thus, the ethyl acetate extract of A. galanga may have [1’S]-1’-acetoxychavicol acetate as an active ingredient for controlling this pest, which could be used as an alternative to application of environmentally insecticides for controlling S. exigua.