Essential Oil Formulations From Salvia officinalis , Ormenis africana , and Mentha pulegium : Chemical Profil

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the yields, chemical compositions, and insecticidal potential of essential oils from Salvia officinalis L. (So), Ormenis africana (Oa), and Mentha pulegium L. (Mp), as well as their mixtures (M _So+Oa , M _So+Mp , M _Oa+Mp , M _So+Oa+Mp ). The essential oil yields were 0.39%, 0.35%, and 0.58% for So, Oa, and Mp, respectively. Chemical analyses showed that So and Mp oils were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (camphor (21.9%), α‐thujone (21.6%), 1,8‐cineole (12.5%) in So; pulegone (80.6%) in Mp), while Oa contained oxygenated monoterpenes (artemisia ketone, 23.6%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (α‐bisabolol, 28.8%). Mixtures of these oils were rich in oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. Laboratory fumigation tests of formulations prepared from individual oils and mixtures revealed that F _So+Oa+Mp was the most effective, with an LC ₅₀ of 31.1 μL/L air, compared to LC ₅₀ values of 41.53, 84.02, and 32.61 μL/L air for F _So , F _Oa , and F _Mp , respectively. Greenhouse trials confirmed efficacy: fumigation at 4% and 8% caused 30.4% and 65.83% mortality without phytotoxicity, while spraying achieved higher mortality (58.01% and 99.66%) but induced plant damage. This study is the first to evaluate, under greenhouse conditions, formulations based on these essential oils and their mixtures, highlighting synergistic effects and their potential as natural alternatives to synthetic pesticides, offering a promising strategy for eco‐friendly pest management and sustainable agriculture.