Quassiin as a contact insecticide

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

7 Gm 40 gait 4
7 _ fh - cn)
Pa) + Vy vag -
7 4 == 7 7
‘ 1 : 7
, a
$ ay ny Ma a
ah hoe — Pt
tee ‘lk
;
a
7 : 7 7
7
i” Vo
7 > ‘.?
ry — ¥. : ae :
a ne
% Hs
- = Be 3
- tS ee > ie
Bi.
,
~
# - -
i a
= 7 5 -
‘
a
e a fh
Pa hes i
Ve
: pce
7 at ae ;
r i
a
nay
: a;
=
a a

i]
7 a
7 .”
2" a) eae
® “ire Yr -
==
é« 7 (coon = ee
6
eee a |
; t Z yeh
a aa Sag
oa o
~ Dyed
, ;
i
ve
_ ;
; =P
7 7
i ¥ ¥
} 7 = 7
7) 4 fi —_ _ :
: ,. >! i
_ a au
7 =: | : {
> om ao
49 ae ¥
- ° aie a : i ne
— ~ a : Op eck a ih - yy es ae
we ae Lars hee Oa! oe it wat fe
= i ou oat ay Op oe) Mabe
_ : oe
i » F : me oe
Ag
=” av 4 - » 7 ae oe i
WA : Sd hoe ie ae teh f ae)
» = oie : oh a it oii
_ if : a ni ee
a. aT i a aa . he Dirt) rm
he : X Sh
i?

an

eh

a hoe it

fe Pe ie aN Ode Pe

a) USDEPARTENT OAGRCLIT

No. 165

o
=
Daas

2

ae)
aes
or

Z=
c) Q
YD

Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O, Howard, Chief.
December 31, 1914.

(PROFESSIONAL PAPER.)

QUASSIIN AS A CONTACT INSECTICIDE.

By Witt1am B. PARKER,
Entomological Assistant, Bureau of Entomology.’

INTRODUCTION.

Quassia chips, the active principle of which is quassiin, have been
employed for many years in the preparation of spray solutions for the
control of the hop aphis (Phorodon humuli Schr.). Several formulas
have been followed, and there are several methods of preparation
according to these formulas. Several factors have brought about the
variations in the formulas, (1) instability in the percentage of quassiin
in the chips, (2) the total amount of available quassiin in the chips
probably not extracted, due to the method of preparation, and (3)
the fact that there appeared to be no fundamental data accumulated
on this subject. The writer accordingly commenced the investiga-
tion, which has been taken up from an insecticidal standpoint, and
any chemistry that is mentioned other than very simple matters is
taken from the various sources. Acknowledgments are due to Prof.
George P. Grey, of Berkeley, Cal., and Mr. G. H. P. Leichthardt, of
Sacramento, Cal., for valuable suggestions, and to Mr. R. E. Camp-
bell, of the Bureau of Entomology, who ably assisted the writer in
determining the efficiency of the several formulas.

During the investigation of the life history and control of the hop
aphis ? it was observed that there were several formulas for the use
of quassia chips. These all appeared to give satisfactory results
when carefully prepared and applied, but it will be observed from
the following formulas that if the weaker one killed the aphides, the
use of the stronger one resulted in a waste of material and extra
expense.

1 Resigned August 31, 1914.
2 Parker, Wm. B., The Hop Aphis in the Pacific Region. U.S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Ent. Bul. 111, 39 p.,
8 fig., 10 pl., May 6, 1913.

Note.—The results of an investigation to determine the most suitable solution of quassiin for use as aspray
for the control of the hop aphis are discussed in this bulletin.

67215°—14

2 BULLETIN 165, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following formulas are typical examples of the variation in
the amount of ingredients and the cost per 100 gallons:

No.1. | No. 2. | No.3.

@uassiaichips= <2 3205. tee ee ee oe Oe ee a, eng Sere pounds. . 2.8 8 9
Wihale-oil soaps. Ss 8a 2 Sek oe ee Eee Le Se ee ee eee doz 1.6 6 6
Wiser 22% 25. lc JARRE on PAS lyn cies 5 RR Se Mery eye eee gallons..) 100 100 100
Costiper lOO wallons 22. eee sa sa ee ene eee ee CeNiSSs| ago 69 74.2

These formulas are concocted differently by different growers.
Some soak the chips 24 hours in a barrel of water and then boil them
for 2 hours. Some boil them for 2 hours without previous soaking,
and others boil them with the whale-oil soap. The several formulas
and methods of preparation all have their advocates among the hop

growers.
CHEMICAL LITERATURE ON QUASSIIN.

The quassia chips commonly used in preparing spray solutions are
the wood of the Jamaica quassia (Picrasma excelsa Swz.). The
literature on the chemical nature of quassun, the active principle of
quassia wood, was found to be very hmited, but the few important
references that the writer was able to obtain are discussed below.

The wood of Picrasma excelsa (Swz.) Planch. (Quassia e Swz.; Q. polygama Lind-
say; Piceaena e Lindl.; Simarubae D. C.) or of Quassia amara L. (bam Simarubacez).

Description.—Jamaica quassia. Occurring in various forms, usually chips, raspings,
or billets, yellowish white or pale yellow, and of rather coarse texture; odor slight;
taste intensely bitter; medullary rays containing tetragonal prisms or small, arrow-
shaped crystals of calcium oxylate. Billets of Jamaica quassia are usually 12.5 cm.
or more in diameter; in tangential section the medullary rays are mostly 3 to 5 rows
of cells in width.

Surinam quassia. Occurring usually in billets not exceeding 7.5 cm. in diameter;
the wood is heavier, harder, and more deeply colored than that of Jamaica quassia,
and the medullary rays in tangential section are mostly 1 or 2 rows of cells in width.

Constituents.—Although Jamaica quassia is said to contain traces of a yellowish
alkaloid, giving a fine blue fluorescence with acidulated alcohol, the important bitter
principle is a neutral, crystalline substance, commonly known as quassiin, but deter-
mined by Massute to be a mixture of two crystalline bodies, which he denominated
a-and f- picrasmin.

Quassiin is extracted by neutralizing the aqueous infusion with soda, precipitating |
with tannin and decomposing the precipitate with lead oxide or lime. It is commonly
said to exist to the extent of only 0.05 to 0.15 per cent, but really exists in much larger
amount, Wiggers says 0.75 percent. This discrepancy is probably due to the fact that
it is difficult to procure in the pure state, and that the purification processes involve ~
considerable loss. Quassiin crystallizes in needles or prisms, and is soluble in alcohol
and in chloroform and in 1,200 parts of cold water. Its bitternessismostintense. The
a-picrasmin (C3;H4,0,9) melts at 204° C. The #-picrasmin (C3gH4g0,9) at 209° to
212° ©. (408.2°-413.6° F.). The bitter principle of Surinam quassia is closely related
and of similar action, but not identical.1 To it the name quassin is commonly
applied.

1 Hare, H. A., Caspari, C., and Rusby, H. H. National Standard Dispensatory, ed. 2, revised and
enlarged, p: 1334, Philadelphia, 1909.

QUASSIIN AS A CONTACT INSECTICIDE. 3

Quassine, the active principle of Quassia amara, is amorphous or crystalline. It has
been isolated by Winkler. It is colorless, inodorous, opaque, and inalterable in the
air, slightly soluble in water, much more soluble in water charged with salt or organic
acids, and in alcohol.

Action on plants: Plants are not injured by spraying with aqueous extracts of
quassia.? |

Quassia.—Constit:: Wood: Picrasmin, ©3;H,,O;9: quassin, C,9H,.03 (or, C32H 4.049
[?]); quassol, C,)H,,O—H,O; alkaloid; resin; mucilage; pectin—Bark: Quassin;
alkaloid; resin; pectin. (Quassia amara contains 4 bitter principles; Picrenu excelsa
contains only 2): quassol,—?

“Quassiin (C3.H,.0,)) may be obtained in a fairly pure state by exhausting quassia-
wood with hot water, precipitating the solution with neutral lead acetate, removing
the excess of lead from the filtrate by sulphuretted hydrogen and shaking the filtered
liquid with chloroform. On evaporation, the quassiin is obtained nearly colorless,
and, with some difficulty, in a distinctly crystalline condition. Quassiin has an in-
tensely and very persistent bitter taste. It is sparingly soluble in cold water, more
readily in hot water, and is easily soluble in alcohol. Its best solvent is chloroform,
which extracts quassiin readily from acidulated solutions.

An aqueous solution of quassiin does not reduce Fehling’s solution cr an ammonio-
nitrate of silver. The solid substance gives no coloration (or merely yellow) when
treated with strong sulphuric acid, or with nitric acid 1-25 sp. gr.; nor is any color
produced on warming. * * *

A solution of quassiin gives a white precipitate with tannin. The reaction is used
by Christensen, Oliveri, and others, to isolate quassiin from its solutions, and by
Enders to separate it from picrotoxin. In the author’s hands the reaction has not
proved satisfactory. The liquid is very difficult to filter, and the filtrate still retains
an intensely bitter taste, showing that the precipitation 1s very incomplete. As an
analytical method the reaction is useless, but it is of some value as a qualitative test.
The test must be made in cold solution. Possibly a more complete precipitation of
quasslin by tannic acid might be effected in an alcoholic solution.

Quasslin gives a brown coloration with ferric chloride. The reaction is best observed
by moistening a quassiin residue in porcelain with a few drops of a weak alcoholic
solution of ferric chloride, and applying a gentle heat. A fine mahogany-brown
coloration is produced.’’ 3

The quasstin used in the following experiments was extracted
according to directions given by Allen. It was further found
that when boiled in alcohol a precipitate formed. This was fil-
tered off, the filtrate evaporated to dryness over a water bath, and
the resulting dark resmous material extracted with boiling water.
When extraction was complete a dark brown crusty material
remained. The resulting extract was light yellow and_ perfectly
clear. It was found to be intensely bitter.

When cool this aqueous soluticn was extracted with chloroform,
evaporated over a water bath, and weighed and made into a per-
centage solution.

1 Bourcart, E., Insecticides, Fungicides and Weedkillers, p. 376. London, 1913.

* Merkes 1907 Index, ed. 3, p. 366. New York, 1907.

Allen, A. H., Commercial Organic Analysis, ed. 2 revised and enlarged, v. 3, pt. 3, p. 187-188, Phila-

delphia, 1896.
4 Except the solution was not acidulated before extraction with acid.

4 BULLETIN 165, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

In studying the use of quassiin as a contact insecticide it became
desirable to determine in what solvents and solutions this com-
pound was soluble. Table I gives the results of the experiments
which were carried out with this purpose in view.

= >

TaBLeE I.—Results of solubility tests for quassiin,.

{
No. | Material. Action.
i | Chioroforms 2-2-2422. soa: Readily soluble.
2). | eh there ee ee ee Not soluble.
3a" Mothyl alcohol 22 =" )!=-ae Readily soluble.
4, 7) EthyPalcohol: S2a22. 55 eee Do.
5 ) ELOb Walter soe see sec ee Do.
OG WCold water! 2 s225 02526... Sparingly soluble 1-1,200.
cf Kerosene. 2 3. + ei eee Not soluble.
Sissi: Gasoline* 2 2e-2 6542 ee Do.
| 9 | Carbon tetrachlorid........- Do.
10 BeNzMe si 22.2 Sh! eae ee Do.
fle eurpentine 2 fees oe eee Possibly soluble.

RESULTS OF TESTS WITH SOLUTIONS.

12 | Potassium hydroxid....... Readily soluble, solution yellow.

13 sf Sodium hydroxid >< 2225 ==. Do.
14 | Calcium hydroxid......-..-..- Do.
15 | Potassium cyanid........... Do.
16 | Sodium carbonate.........-- Do.
7S |r y drocyanic acid 22 o-- 2" sce. Do.
18 | Ammonium hydrate.......- Do
19 | Whale-oil soap AAT e 0.
20) 05) Sodium chlorids-ss2 224. 28. _| Apparently insoluble.
271) | Hydrochloriciacids:2- 2222-2: Do.
|}. 22 “) Sulphuricacid 2-2-0 6 Do.
123" | SNitricncid.s..2 4s eee ee | Do.

DAY Aeeticgeid. 2-25 caeeac 250 Do.

The foregoing table represents the results of experiments which
were conducted with quassun in an attempt to determine some cheap
solvent or solution, other than hot water, by which it could be
extracted from the wood. ;

EXTRACTION OF QUASSIIN FROM SOLUTIONS.

It was found that when the solutions of potassium hydroxid, sodium
hydroxid, sodium carbonate, etc., with quassiin, were acidulated
with sulphuric acid, the quassiin could be readily removed in chloro-
form. This process would apply when testing the percentage of
quassiin in such solutions. |

DETERMINATION OF PURITY OF QUASSIIN USED.

Since the purity of the quassiin used in spraying experiments 1s
an important factor in figuring proportions, an attempt was made to
determine the amounts of material other than quassiin which might
be present in the stock solution.

Following a suggestion in Allen, tannin was added to an aqueous
solution of quassiin taken from the stock solution. A fine precipitate
appeared, but unfortunately it passed through an ordinary filter

paper.

QUASSIIN AS A CONTACT INSECTICIDE. 5

It being observed that tannin is not extracted from an aqueous
solution by chloroform, an attempt was made to collect the chloroform-
soluble material which was not precipitated by the tannin. The
solution was accordingly shaken with chloroform, and the chloroform
separated in a separating funnel. When replaced in aqueous solu-

Fic. 1.—Compressed-air spray machine used in applying
quassiin solution. (Original.)

tion, the extracted material was found to be intensely bitter and gave
all the appearance of being quasstin. It is evident that all of the
quassun is not precipitated by tannin.

Because the material used proved effective as an insecticide at
dilutions of 0.4 grams to 1,500, 1,800, and 2,000 cubic centimeters,
the writer believes that it was comparatively pure quassiin.

INSECTICIDAL VALUE OF QUASSIIN.

The determination of the insecticidal value of quassiin is the main
object of this investigation. In accomplishing this object an attempt
is made to compare the action of quassiin to the action of a standard
contact insecticide. Nicotine sulphate is taken as the standard,

6 BULLETIN 165, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and in these experiments is used at the rate of 1-2,000. The nico-
tine sulphate used was standardized to 40 per cent and the solution
of quassiin was used so that it would correspond with the 40 per cent
solution of nicotine sulphate. For instance, instead of using 1 gram
of quassiin to 2,000 cubic centimeters of water, 0.4 gram was used
to 2,000 cubic centimeters of water.

During the early part of the work it was discovered that the whale-
oil soap, even when used at the greatest dilution at which it had any
spreading effect (1 pound to 100 gallons), killed a certain percentage
of the aphides. Since a spreader is necessary, experiments were
inaugurated to find one that would have no effect upon the insects
treated. It was found that the soap bark solution which was being
used in some other work was an excellent spreader and did not affect
the insects in the least. In all of the following experiments a water
decoction of this material was used at the rate of 2 pounds of soap:
bark to 100 gallons of water.

In applying the solutions, a compressed-air spray machine (fig.
1) which maintained 50 pounds pressure and handled as small an
amount as 200 cubic centimeters was used. A fine mist nozzle was
so adjusted to this pressure of 50 pounds that a washing rather than
a mist spray was produced.

In conducting the experiments detailed in Table II prune twigs
infested by the hop aphis (Phorodon humuli Schrank) and the prune
aphis ([Zyalopterus pruni Fab.) were brought from the field and,
after being sprayed with the solutions, were set in moist sand.
By placing the pots of sand containing the sprayed twigs on sheets
of paper the percentage of the insects that were killed by the solu-
tions were readily obtained. Check twigs were kept to make sure
that there was not a marked mortality fon some other cause.

Table IT gives the results of the spraying experiments with quassiin
in aqueous solution and also in solutions of certain alkaline sub-
stances.

TaBLeE I1.—Aesults of experiments with quassiin as a contact insecticide.

SERIES NO.1. WITH SOAP BARK IN LABORATORY.

Number of} Per cent of
Formula. aphides aphides
sprayed. killed.
OPA. STATS Ot O00; COs ae oat esay eo ees or arcs See ee otra 904 83. 1
O:4-eraims io 22000 Gre 2 Ais Sot) Se Ree es ee ine ek ra ee ae oe Seen crete | 8, 060 93.02
O:4 eramsntod:SO00Cry. fe. ease Sot Se ee eee at be ee eee ee oled ae | 1,119 94.6
O42 sramsitoulH500iCGH a tess i ee a ee ee eee oe oe eee 1,310 93.9
OA Sramsilo OOO CGH e-store nee Se Saat eee ee a Al 1, 831 99.7

SERIES NO.2. WITH WHALE-OfFL SOAP IN FIELD.

Oras orams) tO: 000jiCCst asc kee ees ee ty ee ee ee ere cond en ee ee 1,776 99. 4
O:-Aorams' tod’ S00iCG ee Lok eee ais GE es a peer Baie MURAD Mp es Be oes eet cae 3,197 99.8
Orajerams! tot S00! COs: ke ee ee ee ae ee a 3,546 99.8

QUASSIIN AS A CONTACT INSECTICIDE. i

TaB.e I1.—Results of experiments with quassiin as a contact insecticide—-Continued.

SERIES NO.3. WITH SOAP BARK ON PRUNE APHIS IN FIELD.

Number of} Per cent of
Formula. aphides aphides
sprayed. killed,
NEOPA S LO U0 CGasec 22 oS. c ee eek hha Spe tee ieyets =U Sietere ie etal ener erapet eve Rate os 1,923 97.5
eG aioe iG KG GaS SESS SRA: Sesh ess Reece ao See eee ae Schatten, orale eis ees 721 99. 2
CHECK SERIES.
MWlialP-OllusoaD eS DOUNdS tO 100i¢allons: 1 feo 26.. soee teen et tees recess e oe 1,030 1284.6
PAREN LE cee DOUMUSHLOMLOO CANONS es. 1 8 hee sien win ese cle nee ce cince nce sereeecee- 1, 202 121
Nicotine sulphate, 0.4 grams to 2,000 cc., with soap bark, 2 pounds to 100 gallons. . 930 96.9

1 These were the largest percentages obtained for the check materials.
2 Tn field.

From the foregoing table it will be readily seen that quassiin used
at the rate of 0.4 grams to 2,000 cubic centimeters, or 64 ounces of
40 per cent solution to 100 gallons, was almost as effective against the
hop aphis and the prune aphis as nicotine sulphate, 0.4 grams to
2,000 cubic centinteters, or 64 ounces to 100 gallons. The difference
is approximately 3 per cent, while quassiin, 0.4 grams to 1,000 cubic
centimeters, is fully as effective.

The writer has not so far tested this material upon insects other
than those mentioned, but believes that it will prove effective else-
where if used in proportions corresponding to the amounts of nicotine
sulphate that are known to be effective.

CONCLUSION.

Picrasma excelsa Swz. (quassia wood) is a native of Jamaica, and,
according to data obtained, is available in considerable quantities.

The percentage of quasslin in the quassia wood varies somewhat,
and does not appear to be definitely known. Supposing it to be 0.75
per cent, as given by one author, to use the quassiin at an effective
rate of 0.4 grams to 2,000 cubic centimeters, it would take only 14
pounds of the chips to 100 gallons of spray. To be on the safe side,
double the amount of chips calculated to be necessary, and we have
the following formula * and cost per 100 gallons of spray: |

Wass chips. 0.19 per cent quassiin, 3 pounds, at $0.04. ....:..............- $0. 12
Bae etiam sarpounds. at 60.04 222... de ncct ee tle cones eee eee e ee eee mal
iioimcoshoumaternals per 100 gallons... .32..2.¢..---2. 252-5200 45-2-0 28 . 24

Quassiin can be readily extracted from quassia wood, Picrasma
excelsa Swz., in a comparatively pure form. (See p.3.) It probably
could be more cheaply extracted in an impure water-soluble form by
using sodium carbonate solution. The percentage of quassiin could
be determined and the material evaporated until a standardized solu-
tion was made. Such a material could be diluted and used with

1 This formula corresponds very closely to formula No. 1, page 2.

8 BULLETIN 165, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

whale-oil soap, or some other spreader, as in the case of nicotine sul-
phate. The writer believes that quassin has possibilities as a com-
mercial insecticide and that it could be cheaply prepared and
possibly sold at a lower price than some of the materials that ar
now on the market. RE

The foregoing data were obtained under conditions existing at
Sacramento, Cal., and may not hold for a more humid climate. The
efficiency of the quassiin should be determined for some other locality
before a commercial recommendation is made.

ADDITIONAL COPIES

OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D. C.

AT

5 CENTS PER COPY
V

WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1914

“y
.

\
7
’
i
4
,
Q
bs
i
i
\
=
{
i
MN
i
'
2 ‘ ‘
Say
i
-_ 1 :
~ ‘ \ <
cans