Evaluación de la actividad biológica de los extractos de hojas de cedrela odorata l. como biopesticida/biorepelente

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. The project evaluated the biological activity of the raw extracts of Cedrela odorata L., obtained by maceration and ultrasonic bath, using high and low polarity solvents, where the main objective was to find the extraction yield and determine the bioactive potential of the extracts as sustainable biopesticides, reducing the dependence on chemical pesticides in crops of economic importance. The development of the project included the preparation of dry biomass, solid-liquid extraction under different biomass/solvent ratios and contact times, and the subsequent qualitative phytochemical evaluation of secondary metabolites. An experimental Central Composite Design – Faced design was implemented to analyze the effect of the variables on performance. The results showed that the highest extraction yield (24%) was achieved with a biomass/solvent ratio of 0.25 g/mL and 24 h of maceration, conditions that favored mass transfer. In toxicity tests, less polar extracts showed lower LC₅₀ values (2.09 μg/mL), showing greater bioactivity against Artemia salina. In conclusion, it was found that the polarity of the solvent and the extraction time are determinants in the yield and bioactivity, positioning the extracts of Cedrela odorata L. as a promising alternative for the development of biopesticides. Keywords: Plant extracts, Cedrela odorata, biopesticides, LC₅₀, bioactivity.