Larvicidal Activity of Beauveria bassiana extracts against Aedes aegypti and identification of beauvericins

Abstract

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that has been well known for its capacity to act as biopesticide on various disease vectors. The analysis of organic extracts of strains CG71 and UNI40 led to identification of cyclodepsipeptides beauvericin, beauvericin A or F, beauvericin E and bassianolide by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry in tandem mode (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). The larvicidal activity on 3rd instar of Aedes aegypti revealed LC50 0.9887 and 0.4653 ppm in 24 and 48 hours (CG71 methanolic extract), LC50 0.7834 ppm in 48 hours (CG71 ethyl acetate), LC50 0.7834 and 1.8149 ppm (UNI 40 for ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts, respectively) in 48 hours. These findings highlight the potential of B. bassiana metabolites for controlling the vector of Dengue and Zika diseases.