Nematicidal, antimicrobial and acaricidal activity of plant secondary metabolites

Numerous research studies are focused on the isolation and identification of new active compounds derived from plants. In this PhD thesis we report for the first time about the use of Ailanthus altissima, Capparis spinosa, Melia azedarach and Armoracia rusticana and their secondary metabolites such as ?, ?- and ?, ?, ?, ?- unsaturated aldehydes, isothiocyanates and polyphenols as potential nematicidal against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. We deal also about the possible mode of action of aromatic aldehydes by the inhibition of V-ATPase of the nematode. Second, we demostrate the antimicrobial activity of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) against Listeria monocytogenes. Leaves of the carob tree contain high levels of polyphenolic compounds with antilisterial activity that may act by inhibiting the proline dehydrogenase. Finally, we report the acaricidal activity of Lavandula luisieri essential oil and hydrolates and its fractions containing necrodane-type monoterpenes against larval stage of Hyalomma lusitanicum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus.