Work

Discovery and anti-insect activity of novel terpenoids from Zea mays corn silk against Spodoptera frugiperda

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Terpenoids in maize serve as critical defense metabolites, offering protection against pathogens and insect pests. This investigation focused on corn silk ( Zea mays ), from which 20 terpenoids were isolated—15 diterpenoids (six novel compounds, 1 – 6 ) and five sesquiterpenoids (including one new compound, 7 ). Structural characterization of the novel compounds was achieved through extensive 1D/2D NMR analysis, HRESIMS, and Electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. Bioassays against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae demonstrated that compounds 6 – 8 , 10 , 13 , 18 , and 20 significantly reduced larval weight at 20 μg/g (dry weight). Compounds 7 and 20 displayed concentration-dependent inhibitory effects and exhibited comparable efficacy to that of positive control azadirachtin (6 μg/g) at 20 μg/g. The results highlight the potential of maize-derived sesquiterpenoids, particularly 7 and 20 , as promising leads for eco-friendly insecticidal agents.

Source: Industrial Crops and Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121211

Authors: Yujia Wang, Long Chen, Ziwei Li, Minghua Qiu, Jinfeng Qi, Xingrong Peng