Abstract

The seeds of Korean Coriandrum sativum were extracted with petroleum ether and the chemical composition, larvicidal effects and antioxidant activity were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), which revealed the chemical composition of the petroleum ether extract of the seeds of C. sativum. Thirty seven components, representing 100% of the total extract were identified. The extract was dominated by linalool, a major component. The major components of petroleum ether extract are linalool (53.79%), 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate, (E)- (10.41%), hotrienol (7.82%), 3,7-Dimethylocta-1, 7-dien-3,6-diol (7.54%), 3,7-Octadiene-2,6-diol, 2,6-dimethyl- (5.87%), 7-Oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes, 1-methyl-4-(2-methyloxiranyl)- (4.73), and 5-Isopropenyl-2-methylcyclopent-1-enecarboxaldehyde (1.45%). The petroleum ether extract of the seeds had significant toxic effects against the larvae of Aedes aegypti with an LC₅₀ value of 20.57 ppm and an LC₉₀ value of 47.35 ppm. The petroleum ether extract from the C. sativum seeds was investigated for scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical activity and the reducing power and the results demonstrate that the petroleum ether extract from the C. sativum seeds has potential as a natural antioxidant and thus inhibit unwanted oxidation process. The aforementioned data indicates that the major compounds may play an important role in the toxicity and also act as natural antioxidant.

Key words: Aedes aegypti, antioxidant activity, chemical composition, Coriandrum sativum, larvicidal activity.