Work Package 3: Work Package 3: Phytochemical Phytochemical

characterisation of active characterisation of active materials materials

Lead partner: NRI-UOGLead partner: NRI-UOG

Involved partners: RBGKEW, MUM, Involved partners: RBGKEW, MUM, UZUZ

JustificationJustification Use of plants as pesticides established & Use of plants as pesticides established &

effective for crop, storage protection, effective for crop, storage protection, livestock treatment. livestock treatment.

So why the need for chemistry?So why the need for chemistry? Requires expensive equipment Requires expensive equipment Time consumingTime consuming

Pesticidal plant use improved via understanding Pesticidal plant use improved via understanding the chemistry that governs activity e.g., the chemistry that governs activity e.g., enhancing application methodsenhancing application methods

water soluble components applied as water extracts water soluble components applied as water extracts reducing amounts neededreducing amounts needed

improving harvesting strategies - less long term damageimproving harvesting strategies - less long term damage correct time of yearcorrect time of year correct part of plantcorrect part of plant

identifying alternatives species for scarce or threatened identifying alternatives species for scarce or threatened ones ones

some plants are effective & popular but over-harvestedsome plants are effective & popular but over-harvested abundant plants with similar chemistry environmentally abundant plants with similar chemistry environmentally

benign alternativebenign alternative Authentication & validationAuthentication & validation Identification of toxinsIdentification of toxins

Justification - scientificJustification - scientific

The ability of SADC partners to carry out this analytical work is presently limited The ability of SADC partners to carry out this analytical work is presently limited

capacity needs to be built. capacity needs to be built.

This WP will incorporate significant training componentThis WP will incorporate significant training component analytical and preparative techniquesanalytical and preparative techniques bioassays techniques bioassays techniques

Justification - institutionalJustification - institutional

Objectives WP3 Objectives WP3 Chemical profiling of at least 10 Chemical profiling of at least 10

pesticidal plants - selection pesticidal plants - selection based on information arising based on information arising from WP2 from WP2

through literature surveys. through literature surveys. from published indigenous use in from published indigenous use in

pest control. pest control. information obtained from farmersinformation obtained from farmers plants that farmers demonstrate to plants that farmers demonstrate to

be effectivebe effective Plants used in other places but not Plants used in other places but not

in our region. in our region.

Identification of key bioactive componentsIdentification of key bioactive components

Use literature & chemical database compound searches Use literature & chemical database compound searches Chemical analysis using LC-MS / GC-MS / NMRChemical analysis using LC-MS / GC-MS / NMR Compound purificationCompound purification Biological activity testing of processed materials, Biological activity testing of processed materials,

extracts & pure compounds to verify activityextracts & pure compounds to verify activity Optimise approaches to harvesting e.g., Optimise approaches to harvesting e.g., Securidaca Securidaca

longepedunculatalongepedunculata Roots vs. barkRoots vs. bark Water extract vs. powdered root/bark.Water extract vs. powdered root/bark.

Ensure correct ID of species Ensure correct ID of species Cissus populneaCissus populnea vs. vs. Cassia Cassia sopherasophera

Objectives WP3 Objectives WP3

Objectives WP3Objectives WP3

Capacity building through staff exchange & Capacity building through staff exchange & training of SADC scientists (Mzuzu University & training of SADC scientists (Mzuzu University & University of Zimbabwe)University of Zimbabwe)

in UK labs at NRI-UOG and RBG-Kew in UK labs at NRI-UOG and RBG-Kew

through formal training – PhD?through formal training – PhD?

to develop appropriate analytical techniques for to develop appropriate analytical techniques for technology available in SADC. technology available in SADC.

OutputsOutputs

At least 3 peer reviewed papers. At least 3 peer reviewed papers.

Training document for rapid and straightforward Training document for rapid and straightforward chemical analysis of plant materialschemical analysis of plant materials

Specifically plants for which info is collected within the Specifically plants for which info is collected within the project. project.

More general techniques specific to biological activity testingMore general techniques specific to biological activity testing Provision of standard texts e.g., Provision of standard texts e.g., Phytochemical methodsPhytochemical methods Methods to be relevant.Methods to be relevant.

Where & How?Where & How?

RBG-Kew NRI-UOG can provide RBG-Kew NRI-UOG can provide analytical chemistry GC-MS, LC-MS, NMRanalytical chemistry GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR compounds isolationcompounds isolation biological activity testing biological activity testing

Stored product pests e.g., Stored product pests e.g., Callosobruchus &Callosobruchus & SitophilusSitophilus spp. spp. Field crop pestsField crop pests e.g., e.g., Bemisia & SpodopteraBemisia & Spodoptera spp. spp. Invertebrate & unicellular parasites? Invertebrate & unicellular parasites?

Needs to be prioritised – what are the most important and Needs to be prioritised – what are the most important and relevant testsrelevant tests

Mzuzu University & University of ZimbabweMzuzu University & University of Zimbabwe Analytical plant chemistry – HPLC.Analytical plant chemistry – HPLC. Biological activity testingBiological activity testing Capacity building and trainingCapacity building and training

Questions for discussionQuestions for discussion Training – who & how?Training – who & how?

Who works on which plants?Who works on which plants? Divided up by plants species or use?Divided up by plants species or use?

Material Transfer – access to plants.Material Transfer – access to plants.

Biological activity testing.Biological activity testing. Who runs which bioassays? Who runs which bioassays? Which organisms? Which organisms? Where to get livestock parasite bioassays doneWhere to get livestock parasite bioassays done